Desmopressin (Oral)

Generic name: Desmopressin
Drug class: Antidiuretic hormones

Usage of Desmopressin (Oral)

Desmopressin is used to treat central cranial diabetes insipidus. This is a condition that causes the body to lose too much fluid and become dehydrated. It is also used to control bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis), and the frequent urination and increased thirst caused by certain types of brain injury or brain surgery.

Desmopressin is similar to a hormone that is produced in the body. It acts on the kidneys to reduce the flow of urine.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Desmopressin (Oral) side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Confusion

convulsions

decreased urine output

dizziness

fast or irregular heartbeat

headache

increased thirst

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

shortness of breath

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Delusions

dementia

diarrhea

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Desmopressin (Oral)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of desmopressin in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established for diabetes insipidus in children younger than 4 years of age, and for bedwetting in children younger than 6 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of desmopressin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving desmopressin.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aceclofenac

Acemetacin

Acetohexamide

Alfentanil

Amineptine

Amitriptyline

Amitriptylinoxide

Amoxapine

Amtolmetin Guacil

Anileridine

Aspirin

Bendroflumethiazide

Benzhydrocodone

Benzthiazide

Bufexamac

Butorphanol

Chlorothiazide

Chlorpromazine

Chlorpropamide

Chlorthalidone

Choline Salicylate

Citalopram

Clomipramine

Clonixin

Clopamide

Codeine

Desipramine

Dexibuprofen

Dexketoprofen

Dezocine

Diacetylmorphine

Diazoxide

Dibenzepin

Diclofenac

Difenoxin

Diflunisal

Dihydrocodeine

Diphenoxylate

Dipyrone

Doxepin

Droxicam

Escitalopram

Ethylmorphine

Etodolac

Etofenamate

Etoricoxib

Felbinac

Fenoprofen

Fentanyl

Fepradinol

Feprazone

Floctafenine

Flufenamic Acid

Fluoxetine

Flurbiprofen

Fluvoxamine

Gliclazide

Glimepiride

Glipizide

Gliquidone

Glyburide

Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrocodone

Hydroflumethiazide

Hydromorphone

Ibuprofen

Imipramine

Indapamide

Indomethacin

Ketobemidone

Ketoprofen

Ketorolac

Lamotrigine

Levorphanol

Lofepramine

Lornoxicam

Loxoprofen

Lumiracoxib

Meclofenamate

Mefenamic Acid

Melitracen

Meloxicam

Meperidine

Meptazinol

Methadone

Methyclothiazide

Metolazone

Morniflumate

Morphine

Morphine Sulfate Liposome

Nabumetone

Nalbuphine

Naproxen

Nepafenac

Nicomorphine

Niflumic Acid

Nimesulide

Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin

Nortriptyline

Opipramol

Opium

Opium Alkaloids

Oxaprozin

Oxycodone

Oxymorphone

Oxyphenbutazone

Papaveretum

Parecoxib

Paregoric

Paroxetine

Pentazocine

Phenylbutazone

Piketoprofen

Piritramide

Piroxicam

Polythiazide

Pranoprofen

Proglumetacin

Propyphenazone

Proquazone

Protriptyline

Remifentanil

Rofecoxib

Salicylic Acid

Salsalate

Sertraline

Sodium Salicylate

Sufentanil

Sulindac

Tapentadol

Tenoxicam

Tianeptine

Tiaprofenic Acid

Tilidine

Tolazamide

Tolbutamide

Tolfenamic Acid

Tolmetin

Tolvaptan

Tramadol

Trichlormethiazide

Trimipramine

Valdecoxib

Vilazodone

Vortioxetine

Xipamide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Relate drugs

How to use Desmopressin (Oral)

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Your doctor may limit the amount of fluid or water you drink. Follow the instructions carefully to prevent unwanted effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):

For treatment of bedwetting:

Adults and children 6 years of age or older—At first, 0.2 milligram (mg) as a single dose at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 0.6 mg per day.

Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For treatment of diabetes insipidus:

Adults and children 4 years of age and older—At first, 0.05 milligram (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1.2 mg per day.

Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine lowers the amount of sodium in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps or spasms, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have an infection with a fever and severe vomiting or diarrhea. Your doctor may limit the amount of fluid or water you drink. If you drink too much water during hot weather, after strenuous exercise, or after severe vomiting or diarrhea, this medicine may cause serious unwanted effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Disclaimer

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