Pitressin (Vasopressin) Drug Information: Clinical Pharmacology

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Pitressin

Peptic Ulcer »

Peptic ulcer facts

Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
Peptic ulcer formation is related to H. pylori bacteria in the stomach and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) in 50% of patients. For the remaining 50% there are miscellaneous or unknown causes.
Ulcer pain may not correlate with the presence or severity of ulceration.
The main symptom of peptic ulcer is upper abdominal pain which can be dull, sharp, or burning. (Bloating and burping are not symptoms of peptic ulcer, and vomiting, poor appetite, and nausea are uncommon symptoms of peptic ulcer.)
Diagnosis of ulcer is made with upper GI series or endoscopy.
Treatment of ulcers involves antibiotic combinations along with stomach acid suppression to eradicate H. pylori, eliminating precipitating factors such as NSAIDs and stomach acid suppression...

Read the Peptic Ulcer article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Pitressin

Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures

How Smoking Affects Your Looks Slideshow Pictures

Weight Gain Shockers Slideshow

font size

Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

The antidiuretic action of vasopressin is ascribed to increasing reabsorption of water by the renal tubules.

Vasopressin can cause contraction of smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract and of all parts of the vascular bed, especially the capillaries, small arterioles and venules with less effect on the smooth musculature of the large veins. The direct effect on the contractile elements is neither antagonized by adrenergic blocking agents nor prevented by vascular denervation.

Following subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of vasopressin injection, the duration of antidiuretic activity is variable but effects are usually maintained for 2-8 hours.

The majority of a dose of vasopressin is metabolized and rapidly destroyed in the liver and kidneys. Vasopressin has a plasma half-life of about 10 to 20 minutes. Approximately 5% of a subcutaneous dose of vasopressin is excreted in urine unchanged after four hours.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/8/2004
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.