Approved & therapeutic
Desmopressin
DDAVP, Nocdurna, Noctiva
Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin, modified to retain antidiuretic activity while largely losing the vasoconstrictor activity of the parent hormone. It is approved for central diabetes insipidus, primary nocturnal enuresis, nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria, and for haemostatic use in mild haemophilia A and type 1 von Willebrand disease.
Also known as: DDAVP, Desmopressin acetate, Nocdurna, Noctiva, Stimate
- Status
- Desmopressin is approved by the U.S. FDA and has official prescribing information.
- Evidence
- Approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people.
- Half-life
- Roughly 3 hours after intravenous administration; the antidiuretic effect outlasts plasma levels and varies by formulation.
- How it's taken
- Oral tablet, sublingual tablet, intranasal spray, or subcutaneous / intravenous injection
- Mechanism
- Other
- Pathways
- Vasopressin
How Desmopressin works
Desmopressin is a selective V2 receptor agonist. V2 activation in the renal collecting duct drives aquaporin-2 channel insertion into the apical membrane, increasing water reabsorption and concentrating the urine. Separately, V2 stimulation releases von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from vascular endothelium, which is the basis for its haemostatic indication.
What research has looked at
- Replaces deficient antidiuretic hormone in central diabetes insipidus, controlling polyuria and polydipsia.
- Reduces night-time urine production in nocturia caused by nocturnal polyuria.
- Transiently raises factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor, allowing some patients with mild haemophilia A or type 1 von Willebrand disease to undergo minor procedures without factor concentrate.
- Available in injectable, intranasal, oral and sublingual forms, which differ substantially in bioavailability and are not interchangeable milligram for milligram.
Evidence level: Approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Hyponatremia is the principal danger and can be severe, causing seizures and death. The nocturia-indicated products carry a boxed warning for hyponatremia; sodium must be checked before starting and during treatment.
- Fluid restriction is required with most indications — the mechanism itself makes excess free water intake dangerous.
- Contraindicated in moderate-to-severe renal impairment, known hyponatremia, or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.
- Headache, nausea, nasal discomfort with intranasal forms, and flushing.
- The haemostatic response attenuates with repeated dosing over a short interval as endothelial stores deplete (tachyphylaxis).
Sources
- FDA approved-drug listing for desmopressin · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- DailyMed prescribing information for desmopressin · NIH · DailyMed
- PubMed research on desmopressin hyponatremia nocturia · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for desmopressin · DrugBank
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Desmopressin FAQ
What is Desmopressin?
Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin, modified to retain antidiuretic activity while largely losing the vasoconstrictor activity of the parent hormone. It is approved for central diabetes insipidus, primary nocturnal enuresis, nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria, and for haemostatic use in mild haemophilia A and type 1 von Willebrand disease.
How does Desmopressin work?
Desmopressin is a selective V2 receptor agonist. V2 activation in the renal collecting duct drives aquaporin-2 channel insertion into the apical membrane, increasing water reabsorption and concentrating the urine. Separately, V2 stimulation releases von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from vascular endothelium, which is the basis for its haemostatic indication.
Is Desmopressin FDA approved?
Yes. Desmopressin is approved by the U.S. FDA and has official prescribing information. Evidence level: approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people.
What is the half-life of Desmopressin?
Reported half-life: Roughly 3 hours after intravenous administration; the antidiuretic effect outlasts plasma levels and varies by formulation.
How is Desmopressin taken?
Oral tablet, sublingual tablet, intranasal spray, or subcutaneous / intravenous injection.
What side effects have been reported with Desmopressin?
Reported in the sources: Hyponatremia is the principal danger and can be severe, causing seizures and death. The nocturia-indicated products carry a boxed warning for hyponatremia; sodium must be checked before starting and during treatment; Fluid restriction is required with most indications — the mechanism itself makes excess free water intake dangerous; Contraindicated in moderate-to-severe renal impairment, known hyponatremia, or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion; Headache, nausea, nasal discomfort with intranasal forms, and flushing; The haemostatic response attenuates with repeated dosing over a short interval as endothelial stores deplete (tachyphylaxis).
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.