Uses
Desmopressin nasal (DDAVP®) is used to control the symptoms of a certain type of diabetes insipidus (‘water diabetes’; condition in which the body produces an abnormally large amount of urine). Desmopressinnasal (DDAVP®) is also used to control excessive thirst and the passage of an abnormally large amount of urine that may occur after a head injury or after certain types of surgery. Desmopressin nasal (Noctiva®) is used to control frequent nighttime urination in adults who awaken at least 2 times per night to urinate.
Desmopressin nasal (Stimate®) is used to stop some types of bleeding in people with hemophilia (condition in which the blood does not clot normally) and von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder) with certain blood levels. Desmopressin nasal is in a class of medications called antidiuretic hormones. It works by replacing vasopressin, a hormone that is normally produced in the body to help balance the amount of water and salt.
Side Effects Of Desmopressin Nasal
Desmopressin nasal may cause side effects. Call your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- stomach pain
- heartburn
- weakness
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- warm feeling
- nosebleed
- nostril pain, discomfort, or congestion
- itchy or light-sensitive eyes
- back pain
- sore throat, cough, chills, or other signs of infection
- flushing
Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- vomiting
- chest pain
- fast or pounding heartbeat
- rash
- hives
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
Desmopressin nasal may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using desmopressin nasal:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to desmopressin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in desmopressin nasal spray. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section and any of the following: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); carbamazepine (Equetro, Tegretol, Teril); chlorpromazine; other medications used in the nose; lamotrigine (Lamictal); narcotic (opiate) medications for pain; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); thiazide diuretics (‘water pills’) such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, many combination products), indapamide, and metolazone (Zaroxolyn); or tricyclic antidepressants (‘mood elevators’) such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have had heart failure, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use desmopressin nasal.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had urinary retention or cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction). Also, tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery of the head or face, and if you have a stuffed or runny nose, scarring or swelling of the inside of the nose, or atrophic rhinitis (a condition in which the lining of the nose shrinks and the inside of the nose becomes filled with dry crusts). Call your doctor if you develop a stuffed or runny nose at any time during your treatment.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using desmopressin, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Desmopressin Nasal
Desmopressin nasal comes as a liquid that is administered into the nose through a rhinal tube (a thin plastic tube that is placed in the nose to administer medication), and as a nasal spray. It is usually used one to three times a day. When desmopressin nasal (Stimate®) is used to treat hemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease, 1 to 2 spray(s) are given daily. If Stimate® is used before surgery, it is usually given 2 hours before the procedure. When desmopressin nasal (Noctiva®) is used to treat frequent nighttime urination, one spray is usually given in either the left or right nostril 30 minutes before going to bed. Use desmopressin nasal at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use nasal desmopressin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Desmopressin nasal spray (Noctiva) is available in two different strengths. These products cannot be substituted for each other. Each time you have your prescription filled, make sure that you have received the right product. If you think you received the wrong strength, talk to your doctor and pharmacist right away.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of desmopressin nasal and adjust your dose depending on your condition. Follow these directions carefully.
If you will be using the nasal spray, you should check the manufacturer’s information to find out how many sprays your bottle contains. Keep track of the number of sprays you use, not including the priming sprays. Discard the bottle after you use the stated number of sprays, even if it still contains some medication because additional sprays might not contain a full dose of medication. Do not try to transfer the leftover medication to another bottle.
Before you use desmopressin nasal for the first time, read the written instructions that come with the medication. Be sure that you understand how to prepare the bottle before the first use and how to use the spray or rhinal tube. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use this medication.
Other
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
