Desmopressin nasal spray treats problems relating to your body making too much urine (central diabetes insipidus). The medication comes as a nasal spray that you squirt into your nose.
Central diabetes insipidus (extreme thirst and frequent urination due to low vasopressin)
Desmopressin nasal spray is a synthetic vasopressin analog, which means it's a man-made form of a natural hormone in your body called vasopressin. It works in your kidneys to balance fluids in your body and stop you from making too much urine.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Chills
confusion
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
drowsiness
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes
seizures
tightness in the chest
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Blurred vision
body aches or pain
decreased urine output
ear congestion
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
headache
increased thirst
loss of consciousness
loss of voice
muscle pain or cramps
nervousness
nosebleed
pounding in the ears
runny or stuffy nose
slow or fast heartbeat
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Bloody nose
burning, dry, or itching eyes
eye discharge or excessive tearing
indigestion
loss of appetite
passing gas
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort
Incidence not known
Belching
feeling of warmth
redness of the face, neck, arms, and upper chest
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach cramps
trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Good option for those who cannot take desmopressin tablets by mouth
Starts to work quickly, within minutes
Can cause dangerously low levels of sodium
Not a good treatment option if you have kidney problems
The desmopressin nasal spray pump must be primed before you use it for the first time. To prime the pump, press down four times to release the medication into the air. If the pump is not used for more than 1 week, re-prime it by pressing down on the pump once.
The bottle contains 50 sprays, not including the sprays you use while priming the bottle. Any medication remaining in the nasal spray bottle after 50 doses should be thrown away because you won't get the full 10 mcg of medication per spray.
Blow your nose before using desmopressin nasal spray so that your nose is clear and free of mucus that could block the medication.
If your provider prescribed one dose, put the tip of the spray into one nostril and administer one spray. If your provider prescribed two doses, administer one spray in each nostril.
Be sure to keep the desmopressin nasal spray bottle at room temperature; don't refrigerate it. Make sure to keep the bottle upright.
You should watch your child as they're using desmopressin nasal spray to make sure they get the full prescribed dose.
If you're taking desmopressin nasal spray for diabetes insipidus, your healthcare provider may want you to limit the fluids you drink.
Desmopressin nasal spray can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Children | Age 65 years or older | Having conditions that cause fluid and electrolyte problems such as heart failure or kidney disease | Taking other medications that cause low sodium levels
Desmopressin nasal spray can cause dangerously low sodium levels, which can lead to seizures, coma, respiratory arrest (can't breathe), or death. To lower your risk, your provider will likely have you limit the amount of fluids you drink and they will make sure your sodium levels are normal before you start desmopressin nasal spray. If you experience headache, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, weight gain, muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms, loss of appetite, or seizures, let your provider know right away.
Risk factors: Abnormal nasal mucosa | Using desmopressin nasal spray for a long time
You shouldn't use desmopressin nasal spray if you have scarring in your nose, nasal blockages, or have recently had nasal surgery. These things can affect how much desmopressin nasal spray is absorbed in your body and the medication might not work for you. This can also happen if you've been taking desmopressin nasal spray for a long period of time. If this applies to you, your provider may prescribe another form of desmopressin nasal spray, like the oral or injectable form.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
5ml of 0.01% | 1 nasal spray | $40.75 | $40.75 |
Adults: The typical starting dose is 10 mcg to 40 mcg into one nostril once a day, either given all at once or split into two or three doses throughout the day.
Children age 4 years and older: The typical starting dose is 10 mcg into one nostril daily. If your child's provider raises their dose, they might give it all at once or split the total daily dose into two doses (one dose in the morning and the other at nighttime).
Desmopressin nasal spray is also available as an injection in your veins and under your skin that is administered by a healthcare provider.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Poor kidney function
Low sodium levels
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