Desmopressin Acetate, Oral/Intranasal/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidiuretic; antihemorrhagic

Generic and brand names: desmopressin acetate, injection; desmopressin acetate, intranasal; desmopressin acetate, oral; DDAVP; Minirin; Stimate

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine comes in several forms: a nasal spray, tablets to be taken by mouth, and injections (shots). This medicine may be used to treat:

• diabetes insipidus (excess urination and thirst from too little of a hormone called ADH)
• hemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease (bleeding disorders)

The tablets may also be used to treat bedwetting at night. This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• blood clots
• cystic fibrosis
• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood)
• kidney problems
• nasal congestion or nose injury

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take the exact number of tablets prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not take them for a longer period than prescribed.

Use the nasal spray exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Read the instructions that come with the spray. Do not use more of it or use it more often than prescribed. Using too much can increase the risk of side effects.

DDAVP nasal solution is available in a nasal tube delivery system that allows the solution to be blown deep into the nasal cavity. Read the instructions carefully if your healthcare provider prescribes this form.

Stimate nasal solution comes in a spray pump that must be primed before the first use. To prime the pump, press down 4 times. The spray pump is set to deliver 25 doses. After 25 doses, throw out any left over spray because it may not be the proper strength.

Shots may be given by your healthcare provider. Some people can give themselves shots. If you are to give yourself the shots, be sure you know how to give them and how much medicine to use. Use disposable syringes and needles. Do not reuse them, and dispose of them properly.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, flushing, seizures, confusion, unexplained swelling, drowsiness, trouble urinating.

What should I watch out for?

You may need to watch how much liquid you drink while you are being treated with this medicine. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. It may make you dehydrated. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

If you are using this medicine to control bleeding, contact your healthcare provider if you have bleeding that is not controlled after a dose.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Headache; seizures; chest pain; heartburn; nausea; abdominal cramps; swelling in arms or legs, or any unexplained swelling; vaginal pain; nosebleed; unexplained sore throat.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, light-sensitive eyes, headache, facial flushing, runny or stuffy nose, pain or swelling where injections are given.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
• demeclocycline (Declomycin)
• fludrocortisone (Florinef)
• lithium (Lithobid)
• lypressin (Diapid) and vasopressin (Pitressin)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the oral tablets and DDAVP nasal spray at room temperature. Keep the Stimate nasal spray and is injection medicine in the refrigerator. If the nasal spray is stored at room temperature, it keeps for only 3 weeks. If the injection is stored at room temperature, it keeps for only 2 weeks. Do not freeze this medicine. Keep the medicine container tightly closed. Store the nasal spray in an upright position. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.