Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
desmopressin (oral/sublingual)

desmopressin (oral/sublingual)

Pronunciation: DEZ mo press in

Brand: DDAVP, Nocdurna

DDAVP

slide 1 of 10, DDAVP,

0.1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 0 1, 36 AV

Image of DDAVP
slide 1 of 10

DDAVP

slide 2 of 10, DDAVP,

0.2 mg, round, white, imprinted with AV 37, 0.2

Image of DDAVP
slide 2 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 3 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with WPI, 22 25

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 3 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 4 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with WPI, 22/26

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 4 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 5 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.1 mg, round, white, imprinted with APO, DES 0.1

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 5 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 6 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 232 0.1, barr

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 6 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 7 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.1 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with 9 3, 7316

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 7 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 8 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.2 mg, round, white, imprinted with APO, DES 0.2

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 8 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 9 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 232 0.2, barr

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 9 of 10

Desmopressin Acetate

slide 10 of 10, Desmopressin Acetate,

0.2 mg, round, white, imprinted with 9 3, 7317

Image of Desmopressin Acetate
slide 10 of 10

What is the most important information I should know about desmopressin?

You should not use desmopressin if you have severe kidney disease or hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body). You also should not take Nocdurna if you have severe thirst, uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, high levels of a hormone that causes fluid retention, or if you take a diuretic or use steroid medication.

Limit your intake of water and other fluids while you are using desmopressin. Drinking too much water may lead to a serious, life-threatening electrolyte imbalance.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low sodium: headache, confusion, muscle cramps, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, and feeling restless or unsteady.

What is desmopressin?

Desmopressin is used to treat nighttime bed-wetting, central diabetes insipidus, and increased thirst and urination caused by head surgery or head trauma.

Desmopressin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the pituitary gland and regulates how the body uses water.

Desmopressin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desmopressin?

You should not use desmopressin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • severe kidney disease; or
  • hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body).

You also should not take Nocdurna sublingual desmopressin if you have:

  • a disease or psychologic disorder that causes extreme or unusual thirst;
  • syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH, high levels of a hormone that causes fluid retention);
  • severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
  • heart failure; or
  • if you take a diuretic ("water pill") or use a steroid medicine (oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable).

Desmopressin is not approved to treat bed-wetting in a child younger than 6 years old. Nocdurna is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Do not give this medicine to a child for any reason without medical advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • an electrolyte imbalance;
  • unusual thirst;
  • fluid retention;
  • congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease;
  • high blood pressure;
  • urination problems;
  • kidney disease; or
  • cystic fibrosis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I take desmopressin?

Your doctor may perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using desmopressin.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Limit your intake of water and other fluids while you are using desmopressin. Drinking too much water may lead to a serious, life-threatening electrolyte imbalance.

Fluid restriction is especially important in children and older adults using desmopressin. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.

If you were switched from desmopressin nasal spray to desmopressin tablets, wait at least 12 hours after your last nasal dose before you take your first tablet.

Take the sublingual tablet 1 hour before bedtime. Place the tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Empty your bladder before going to bed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

Store Nocdurna tablets in their original foil blister pack. Remove a tablet only when you are ready to take it.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, confusion, drowsiness, rapid weight gain, or urination problems.

What should I avoid while taking desmopressin?

While treating nighttime bed-wetting, avoid drinking anything within 1 hour before your bedtime dose of desmopressin. Do not drink anything until the next morning, or at least 8 hours after you have taken the medicine.

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other sources of caffeine before bedtime.

Also avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.

What are the possible side effects of desmopressin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • low levels of sodium in the body --headache, confusion, hallucinations, muscle cramps, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling restless or unsteady;
  • flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
  • swelling, weight gain;
  • a seizure;
  • weak or shallow breathing; or
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache;
  • dizziness;
  • dry mouth;
  • nausea; or
  • mild stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect desmopressin?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect desmopressin, especially:

  • an antidepressant;
  • opioid pain medication;
  • seizure medication;
  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect desmopressin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about desmopressin.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details