Desmopressin

For controlling excessive urination at night, the usual starting dose for oral tablets (i.e., taken by mouth and swallowed) is 0.2 mg taken one hour before bedtime. Depending on your response to Desmopressin, your doctor may gradually increase the dose to 0.6 mg at bedtime. You should limit your fluid intake for a few hours before taking Desmopressin. In addition, you should limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume during evening hours.

For central diabetes insipidus, the usual starting dose for oral tablets is 0.1 mg taken 3 times daily. Your doctor will then adjust the dose depending on your response to Desmopressin. The maximum dose for oral tablets is 0.4 mg taken 3 times daily.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Desmopressin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking Desmopressin for controlling excessive urination at night and you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you are taking Desmopressin for central diabetes insipidus and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Desmopressin at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause nasal irritation or stuffiness; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause redness of the face; when used, it may cause local irritation; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

0.1 mg
Each white-to-off-white, round, flat-faced, bevel-edged tablet, engraved "APO" on one side and scored and engraved "DES" over "0.1" on the other, contains 0.1 mg of desmopressin acetate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous lactose, corn starch, and magnesium stearate.

0.2 mg
Each white-to-off-white, round, flat-faced, bevel-edged tablet, engraved "APO" on one side and scored and engraved "DES" over "0.2" on the other, contains 0.2 mg of desmopressin acetate (on the anhydrous basis). Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous lactose, corn starch, and magnesium stearate.

Do not take desmopressin tablets if you:

• are allergic to desmopressin or any ingredients of the medication
• have low blood sodium levels, severe liver disease, impaired kidney function, heart failure or adrenal problems
• have conditions leading to low sodium in the blood (e.g., bulimia, anorexia nervosa, chronic vomiting, Diarrhea, and adrenal impairment)
• have type IIB or platelet type (pseudo) von Willebrand's disease

There may be an interaction between desmopressin and any of the following:

• Carbamazepine
• Chlorpromazine
• clofibrate
• diuretics or "water pills" (e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• Lamotrigine
• lithium
• Loperamide
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Celecoxib, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine, Citalopram)
• Tolvaptan
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Blood pressure: Desmopressin may occasionally cause increases in blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, discuss with your doctor how Desmopressin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed

Cystic Fibrosis: People with cystic fibrosis are more likely to experience low levels of sodium in the body. This can lead to increased side effects with desmopressin. If you have cystic fibrosis, discuss with your doctor how Desmopressin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Desmopressin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Fluid and electrolyte balance: Fluid intake should be adjusted in order to reduce the possibility of water retention and low levels of sodium in the blood, especially for very young people and for seniors. People who are dehydrated should wait until their water balance has been adequately restored before taking desmopressin. Seniors should be closely observed for possible water retention and low sodium in the blood due to excessive fluid intake. Talk to your doctor about adjusting the amount of fluid intake that is right for you. For control of nighttime urination, a restricted fluid intake is recommended a few hours before using Desmopressin.

Lactose intolerance: The regular tablet form of Desmopressin contains lactose. If you have galactose intolerance (galactosemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or Lapp lactase deficiency) you should not take this formulation. The sublingual tablet formulation does not contain lactose.

Medical conditions: Desmopressin is not effective in controlling excessive urination caused by Kidney Disease, diabetes, psychosomatic conditions, low blood potassium, or high blood calcium.

Short-term illnesses: Many short-term illnesses such as Fever, infections and stomach irritation can cause dehydration. This dehydration may cause complications with the use of desmopressin. Talk to your doctor about how to manage your desmopressin treatment if you develop a short-term illness.

Tolerance: There are reports of changes in response over time, usually when the medication has been used for periods longer than 6 months. Some people may experience decreased responsiveness, while others may experience a shortened duration of effect.

Urinary tract problems: If you have severe bladder or voiding problems, the way your body gets rid of excess water or sodium may be impaired. Discuss with your doctor how Desmopressin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Desmopressin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Desmopressin has been used during pregnancy with no harm reported. However, no controlled studies have been done on its use by pregnant women. Desmopressin should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if desmopressin from desmopressin tablets passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking desmopressin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Children are more likely to experience low sodium levels and fluid build up as a result of consuming too much fluid. Your child’s doctor should closely monitor fluid and sodium levels while your child is taking desmopressin.

Seniors: Seniors are more likely to experience low sodium levels and fluid build up as a result of consuming too much fluid or decreased kidney function. Your doctor should closely monitor your condition while you are taking desmopressin.

This product is to be sprayed into the nostrils. To use: Blow your nose to clear your nostrils. DO NOT SHAKE the container before use. Tilt your head forward slightly. Spray the prescribed dose into the nostrils, breathing normally - do not sniff deeply. Wait 15 minutes after using the product before blowing your nose. Following its use, wipe the nozzle tip with a clean tissue or a smooth cloth. This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. To avoid water intoxication, make sure you received all the information about fluid intake during treatment. Consuming alcohol may modify the effect of this product. Avoid alcohol consumption during treatment.