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| Pronunciation |
|
 (des
moe PRES in AS e
tate) |
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| Brand Names |
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| DDAVP®; Stimate® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Octostim®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Vasopressin Analog, Synthetic |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to desmopressin or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have a bleeding disorder like von Willebrand disease then ask
healthcare provider if you can safely take this
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to control bedwetting and urine output in
patients who have central diabetes
insipidus.
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| How does it work? |
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|
- Desmopressin is a man-made form of a chemical found in the body called
vasopressin. This medicine decreases the amount of urine passing out of the
body.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- If you are using this medicine to prevent bedwetting, take at bedtime.
- Use solution and spray in the nose only.
- Do not use spray in children younger than 6 years of age.
- Blow your nose before using nasal spray or solution.
- Read directions on solution and spray bottle carefully before
using.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May prevent medicine
from working as well.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
- Belly pain and cramps.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
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- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Keep track of the number of bedwetting episodes if you are using the
medicine for this.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
- Store nasal spray at room temperature.
- Store nasal solution in
refrigerator.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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