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DDAVP Drug Center

DDAVP (desmopressin acetate) is used to treat bed-wetting, central cranial diabetes insipidus, and increased thirst and urination caused by head surgery or head trauma. It is also used to treat bleeding due to platelet dysfunction. It is part of the antidiuretic and antihemorrhagic drug classes. DDAVP is available in generic form. Common side effects include headache, nausea, upset stomach, or flushing of the face. DDAVP can infrequently cause low levels of sodium in the blood, which can be serious and possibly life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of low levels of sodium in the blood: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle weakness/spasms/cramps, weight gain, unusual tiredness, severe drowsiness, mental/mood changes (confusion, hallucinations, irritability), loss of consciousness, seizures, or slow/shallow breathing.

The dosage of DDAVP is determined for each patient and adjusted according to the response. Usual starting dose is 0.05 mg twice/day and increased to a dosage range of 0.1 mg to 0.8 mg daily. DDAVP may interact with carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, lamotrigine, oxybutynin, vasopressin, narcotic pain medicine, antidepressants, medicine to treat erectile dysfunction, drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder, beta-blockers, or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, DDAVP should be used only when prescribed. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

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