Pitressin (Vasopressin) Drug Information: Warnings and Precautions

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May 27, 2012

Pitressin

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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...

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Pitressin

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

WARNINGS

This drug should not be used in patients with vascular disease, especially disease of the coronary arteries, except with extreme caution. In such patients, even small doses may precipitate anginal pain, and with larger doses, the possibility of myocardial infarction should be considered.

Vasopressin may produce water intoxication. The early signs of drowsiness, listlessness, and headaches should be recognized to prevent terminal coma and convulsions.

PRECAUTIONS

General

Vasopressin should be used cautiously in the presence of epilepsy, migraine, asthma, heart failure or any state in which a rapid addition to extracellular water may produce hazard for an already overburdened system.

Chronic nephritis with nitrogen retention contraindicates the use of vasopressin until reasonable nitrogen blood levels have been attained.

Information for Patients

Side effects such as blanching of skin, abdominal cramps, and nausea may be reduced by taking 1 or 2 glasses of water at the time of vasopressin administration. These side effects are usually not serious and probably will disappear within a few minutes.

Laboratory Tests

Electrocardiograms (ECG) and fluid and electrolyte status determinations are recommended at periodic intervals during therapy.

Drug Interactions

1) The following drugs may potentiate the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin when used concurrently: carbamazepine; chlorpropamide; clofibrate; urea; fludrocortisone; tricyclic antidepressants. 2) The following drugs may decrease the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin when used concurrently: demeclocyline; norepinephrine; lithium; heparin, alcohol. 3) Ganglionic blocking agents may produce a marked increase in sensitivity to the pressor effects of vasopressin.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with vasopressin. It is also not known whether vasopressin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Vasopressin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Labor and Delivery

Doses of vasopressin sufficient for an antidiuretic effect are not likely to produce tonic uterine contractions that could be deleterious to the fetus or threaten the continuation of the pregnancy.

Nursing Mothers

Caution should be exercised when vasopressin is administered to a nursing woman.

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