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'Desmopressin' ('DDAVP'^®, 'Stimate'^®, 'Minirin'^® (''Ferring Pharmaceuticals'')) is a synthetic drug that mimics the action of antidiuretic hormone, also known as ''arginine vasopressin''. It may be taken nasally, intravenously, or through a recently developed pill.

Contents

Chemistry

Method of action

Uses

Side effects

See also

References

Chemistry

Desmopressin (''1-desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin'') is a modified form of the normal human hormone arginine vasopressin, a peptide containing nine amino acids.
Compared to vasopressin, desmopressin's first amino acid has been deaminated, and the arginine at the eighth position is in the ''dextro'' rather than the ''levo'' form (see stereochemistry).

Method of action

Desmopressin binds to V2 receptors in renal collecting ducts, increasing water resorption. It also stimulates release of factor VIII from endothelial cells due to stimulation of the V1a receptor.
Desmopressin is degraded more slowly than recombinant vasopressin, and requires less frequent administration. In addition, it has little effect on blood pressure, while vasopressin may cause arterial hypertension.

Uses

Desmopressin is used to reduce urine production in central diabetes insipidus patients and to promote the release of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII in patients with coagulation disorders such as type I von Willebrand disease, mild hemophilia A, and thrombocytopenia. Desmopressin is not effective in the treatment of hemophilia B or severe hemophilia A.
It may also be prescribed to reduce frequent bedwetting episodes in children and adults with Enuresis by decreasing nocturnal urine production.
It has also seen interest as a possible nootropic.

Side effects

★ headaches

★ facial flushing

★ nausea
Desmopressin nasal is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take desmopressin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. source

See also

★ diabetes insipidus

★ hemophilia A

★ von Willebrand disease

References

★ Leissinger C, Becton D, Cornell C Jr, Cox Gill J. ''High-dose DDAVP intranasal spray (Stimate) for the prevention and treatment of bleeding in patients with mild haemophilia A, mild or moderate type 1 von Willebrand disease and symptomatic carriers of haemophilia A.'' Haemophilia 2001;7:258-66. PMID 11380629.