Desmopressin

Generic Name : Desmopressin

TradeName : D-void, Minirin, Minirin INJ

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Desmopressin is a chemical that is similar to a hormone found naturally in your body. It increases urine concentration and decreases urine production. Desmopressin is used to prevent and control excessive thirst, urination, and dehydration caused by injury, surgery, and certain medical conditions, allowing you to sleep through the night without awakening to urinate

When it is to be taken : Desmopressin usually is taken every evening or twice a day, every morning and evening. For bedwetting, it is taken at bedtime. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken : Desmopressin comes in the form of liquid that is administered into the nose and as a nasal spray. Do not take the liquid by mouth. With the nasal liquid, you will receive a soft, flexible plastic tube with special markings for measuring the dose and instr

Special Instruction :
1. Your doctor may instruct you to limit your intake of fluids. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Drinking too much can cause water retention.
2. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You probably will have urine tests periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of this drug.
3. If desmopressin loses its effectiveness contact you doctor. Your dose may need to be changed.
4. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. However, if you remember a missed dose near the time you are scheduled to take the next one, omit the missed dose completely and take only the regularly scheduled dose.

Side Effects :
Nausea, headache, stuffy or runny nose, reddening of the skin, mild abdominal cramps, pain in the external genital areas (in women). Contact your doctor; your dose may need to be adjusted.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take desmopressin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have high blood pressure or cornary artery disease (heart disease).
2. Ask your doctor how much, if any, alcohol you may drink. Alcohol interferes with the action of desmopressin by increasing urintaion.
3. Before you take desmopressin, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially carbamazepine, chlorpropamide, clofibrate, demeclocycline, epinephrine, and lithium.
4. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store the liquid in the refrigerator, but do not allow it to freeze.