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Desmopressin (nasal)

Generic name: desmopressin (nasal) [ DEZ-mo-press-in ]
Brand names: DDAVP nasal, DDAVP Rhinal Tube nasal, Noctiva nasal, Stimate nasal
Dosage form: nasal spray (0.15 mg/inh; 10 mcg/inh)
Drug class: Antidiuretic hormones

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 28, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is desmopressin nasal?

Desmopressin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the pituitary gland. This hormone affects blood pressure, kidney function, and regulating how the body uses water.

Desmopressin nasal is used to treat central cranial diabetes insipidus, and increased thirst and urination caused by head surgery or head trauma.

Stimate is used to treat bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A or von Willebrand's disease Type I.

Noctiva is used to treat excessive night-time urination in adults who are at least 50 years old. Noctiva should not be used to treat night-time bedwetting.

Desmopressin nasal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Desmopressin nasal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Desmopressin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Low sodium may be more likely to occur in children and older adults.

Common side effects of desmopressin may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Limit your intake of water and other fluids. Drinking too much water can cause your body to lose sodium, which may lead to a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together. Tell your doctor if you also use a diuretic or steroid medicine.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low sodium, such as headache, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite, and feeling drowsy or restless.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use desmopressin if you are allergic to desmopressin.

Depending on your condition, you may not be able to use desmopressin nasal if you have:

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with desmopressin nasal. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you also use:

Desmopressin nasal may be less effective if you have any swelling or scarring inside your nose, or any nasal or sinus problems (such as deviated septum).

Tell your doctor if you have:

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Desmopressin nasal should not be used to treat excessive urination that is a normal condition of pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I use desmopressin nasal?

Your doctor may perform urine tests to make sure desmopressin nasal is the right medicine for you.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Before your first use, prime the nasal spray with 4 to 5 test sprays into the air. Prime again whenever the spray hasn't been used in longer than 3 days.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, fever, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medicine, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

You may need frequent medical tests, and your doctor may change your dose based on the results. If you stop using desmopressin, you may need blood or urine tests before you start using it again.

Limit your intake of water and other fluids while you are using desmopressin. Drinking too much water can cause your body to lose sodium, which may lead to a serious, life-threatening electrolyte imbalance.

Fluid restriction is especially important in children and older adults using desmopressin nasal. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle in an upright position when not in use.

Store unopened Noctiva in the refrigerator. After opening, keep the medicine at room temperature and use it within 60 days.

Store DDAVP Rhinal Tube in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If refrigeration is not available, you may keep the closed bottles at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Keep track of how many sprays you've used from each bottle. Each brand of desmopressin nasal contains a specific number of sprays per bottle.

Throw away the spray bottle after using the specified number of sprays, even if there is medicine left inside. Do not try to pour it into a new bottle. Do not use this medicine past the expiration date on the label.

If you use desmopressin to treat bleeding episodes, get medical attention if this medicine does not control your bleeding.

hydrochlorothiazide, tranexamic acid, desmopressin, imipramine, Microzide, vasopressin, Vonvendi, Tofranil, Esidrix

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, confusion, drowsiness, rapid weight gain, or urination problems.

What should I avoid while using desmopressin nasal?

To help prevent night-time urination, avoid drinking a lot of liquid close to bedtime.

What other drugs will affect desmopressin nasal?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some may interact with desmopressin, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect desmopressin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Does desmopressin interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Popular FAQ

How does Noctiva work?

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 a vasopressin analog that helps the kidneys to reabsorb more water, causing urine production to reduce and helping to alleviate the need to pee. Continue reading

More FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.