Vasostrict

Vasopressin is injected into a muscle or under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Vasopressin is usually given as needed to help control your condition. The time interval between doses will depend on how your body responds to the medication.

To treat diabetes insipidus, vasopressin is sometimes given into the nose by nasal spray or medicine dropper, or insertion of a cotton pad that has been soaked in vasopressin.

When used for abdominal x-ray, vasopressin injections are usually given at 2 hours before and 30 minutes before your x-ray. Your doctor may also recommend you receive an enema before you receive your first dose of vasopressin.

Vasopressin can cause temporary side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, or "blanching" of your skin (pale spots when you press on the skin).

Drinking 1 or 2 glasses of water each time you receive an injection may help ease these side effects. If you are receiving this medicine in your vein through an IV, you may be told not to drink water for a certain period of time.

While using vasopressin, you may need frequent blood tests. Your heart function may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

Follow your doctor's instructions about the amount of liquids you should drink during your treatment with vasopressin. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Because you will receive vasopressin in a medical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

Avoid drinking alcohol during your treatment with vasopressin. Alcohol can make vasopressin less effective.

Exogenous antidiuretic hormone (ADH); maintains serum osmolality in normal range and acts as a vasopressor.152 157 167 170

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Vasostrict. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Use Vasostrict as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

Catecholamines

Use with catecholamines is expected to result in an additive effect on mean arterial blood pressure and other hemodynamic parameters.

Indomethacin

Use with indomethacin may prolong the effect of Vasostrict® on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Ganglionic Blocking Agents

Use with ganglionic blocking agents may increase the effect of Vasostrict® on mean arterial blood pressure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Furosemide

Use with furosemide increases the effect of Vasostrict® on osmolar clearance and urine flow [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Drugs Suspected of Causing SIADH

Use with drugs suspected of causing SIADH (e.g., SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, chlorpropamide, enalapril, methyldopa, pentamidine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, felbamate) may increase the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasostrict®.

Drugs Suspected of Causing Diabetes Insipidus

Use with drugs suspected of causing diabetes insipidus (e.g., demeclocycline, lithium, foscarnet, clozapine) may decrease the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasostrict®.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

Risk Summary: There are no adequate or well-controlled studies of Vasostrict® in pregnant women. It is not known whether vasopressin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with vasopressin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Clinical Considerations: Because of increased clearance of vasopressin in the second and third trimester, the dose of Vasostrict® may need to be up-titrated to doses exceeding 0.1 units/minute in post-cardiotomy shock and 0.07 units/minute in septic shock.

Vasostrict® may produce tonic uterine contractions that could threaten the continuation of pregnancy.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether vasopressin is present in human milk. However, oral absorption by a nursing infant is unlikely because vasopressin is rapidly destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract. Consider advising a lactating woman to pump and discard breast milk for 1.5 hours after receiving vasopressin to minimize potential exposure to the breastfed infant.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of Vasostrict® in pediatric patients with vasodilatory shock have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of vasopressin did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5), Adverse Reactions (6), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

NDC 42023-164-25
Rx Only

Vasostrict®
(Vasopressin Injection, USP)

20 Units per mL

For Intravenous Infusion
Must be diluted prior to use
Store between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F).

Do not store above 25°C (77°F).

Vials may be held at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) for up to 12 months.

1 mL x 25 Single Dose Vials

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