Desmopressin (Nasal Route, Oral Route, Injection Route)

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Proper Use

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Your doctor may want you to decrease the amount of fluids that you drink while you are using this medicine .

For patients using the nasal solution form of this medicine:

• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully.
• Before using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.
• If you are using the nasal spray for the first time, you will need to prime the spray. To do this, press the pump down four times or until some of the medicine sprays out. If you have not used the medicine for one week or longer, re-prime the pump by pressing once.
• Do not use the nasal spray more times than the number indicated on the label. If you do, you may not receive the correct amount of medicine.
• After using the nasal spray, wipe the tip of the bottle with a clean tissue and put the cap back on.
• The Rhinal Tube is a soft plastic tube with numbers (doses) marked on the side. Draw the drops into the tube until the liquid reaches the number of your dose. Put one end of the tube into your nose and the other end into your mouth. Blow gently until all the medicine has sprayed into your nose. Do not let any medicine run down through the tube into your mouth.
• After using the rhinal tube, wash it with water and shake thoroughly until no more water is left. Put the seal back on the dropper tip and close the bottle with the plastic cap .

For patients using the tablet form of this medicine:

• Do not drink water or any other liquids from 1 hour before to 8 hours after taking the tablets .

For patients using the injection form of this medicine:

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. Sometimes you, a family member, or a friend can also be taught to give your medicine .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For nasal dosage form (nasal solution):
  • For preventing or controlling diabetes insipidus (water diabetes):
    • Adults and teenagers—0.1 to 0.4 milliliters (ml) or 10 to 40 micrograms (mcg) given as a single dose or divided into two or three doses a day .
    • Children 3 months to 12 years of age— 0.05 to 0.3 milliliters (ml) or 5 to 30 micrograms (mcg) given as a single dose or divided into two doses a day .
    • Children up to 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For preventing or controlling diabetes insipidus (water diabetes):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children—At first, 0.05 milligram (mg) two times a day. Then, your doctor may change the dose to 0.1 to 0.8 mg. The dose may be divided into several doses a day.
  • For controlling bed-wetting:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 6 years of age or older—At first, 0.2 mg once a day at bedtime. Then, your doctor may increase the dose to as much as 0.6 mg a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
• For parenteral dosage form (injection):
  • For preventing or controlling frequent urination:
    • Adults and teenagers—2 to 4 mcg injected into a vein or under the skin. This dose is usually divided into two doses a day, one given in the morning, and the other given in the evening.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
  • For treating some bleeding problems such as hemophilia or von Willebrand's disease (Type I):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 11 months of age or older weighing more than 10 kg (22 pounds)—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is usually 0.3 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) (0.14 mcg per pound) of body weight mixed in 50 milliliters (mL) of 0.9% sodium chloride. This solution is injected into a vein slowly over fifteen to thirty minutes. Your doctor may repeat this treatment if needed.
    • Children 3 months of age or older weighing 10 kg (22 pounds) or less—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is usually 0.3 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) (0.14 mcg per pound) of body weight mixed in 10 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride. This solution is injected into a vein slowly over fifteen to thirty minutes. Your doctor may repeat this treatment if needed.
    • Children up to 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Has a bulleted list describing how to handle missed doses for various possible dosing schedules.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store as directed on the label or by your health care professional.

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