Desmopressin Oral

• DDAVP^®

Desmopressin is used to control the amount of urine your kidneys make. Normally, the amount of urine you make is controlled by a certain substance in the body called vasopressin. In people who have "water diabetes" (diabetes insipidus) or certain kinds of head injury or brain surgery, the body does not make enough vasopressin. Desmopressin is a man-made form of vasopressin and is used to replace a low level of vasopressin. This medication helps to control increased thirst and too much urination due to these conditions, and helps prevent dehydration.

Desmopressin is also used to control nighttime bedwetting in children. It reduces how often your child urinates and decreases the number of bedwetting episodes.

How to use Desmopressin ACETATE

For the treatment of diabetes insipidus, take this medication by mouth, usually 2 to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor.

For the treatment of bedwetting, take this medication by mouth, usually once a day at bedtime. Children should limit the fluids they drink after dinner, especially 1 hour before the desmopressin dose until the next morning, or at least 8 hours after the dose. If your child wakes up during the night, limit the amount that he or she drinks.

All patients taking desmopressin, especially children and older adults, must limit drinking of water and other fluids. Consult your doctor for details. If you find that you are drinking more fluids than directed, tell your doctor right away. Your treatment will need to be adjusted. (See also Side Effects and Precautions sections.)

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not take more desmopressin or take it more often than prescribed.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if this medication stops working well.

Headache, nausea, upset stomach, or flushing of the face may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Desmopressin can rarely cause a low level of sodium in the blood, which can be serious and possibly life-threatening. Drinking too much water or other fluids increases the risk of having a low level of sodium in the blood. Therefore, follow your doctor's directions for limiting fluids. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of a low level of sodium in the blood: loss of appetite, severe nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle weakness/spasms/cramps, sudden weight gain, unusual tiredness, unusual severe drowsiness, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, irritability), loss of consciousness, seizures, slow/shallow breathing.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: confusion, drowsiness, persistent/severe headache, sudden weight gain.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as urine tests, sodium blood level) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you take 1 dose daily and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you take more than 1 dose daily and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.Information last revised December 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.