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How does Noctiva work?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 21, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Noctiva (desmopressin acetate) is a nasal spray used to treat waking in the night because you have to urinate (nocturia) that is caused by increased nighttime production of urine (nocturnal polyuria). Noctiva is approved for use in adults who have to get up at least twice a night to pee.

Noctiva is a vasopressin analog that helps the kidneys to reabsorb more water, causing urine production to reduce and helping to alleviate the need to pee. It specifically works as a selective agonist at V2 receptors on renal cells in the collecting ducts, which promotes water reabsorption.

Noctiva is used once a day about 30 minutes before bedtime.

When Noctiva was approved in 2017 it was the first treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of nocturnal polyuria. In 2018, a sublingual (under the tongue) tablet containing desmopressin acetate was also approved by the FDA for the treatment of nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria. It is marketed under the brand name Nocdurna.

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