Do you or your child feel thirsty all the time? And do you urinate frequently? Maybe your child is wetting the bed at night. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a pill called 'Desmopressin'. Since this medicine is used very often, and since you need to be very careful when using it, today we will talk about this Desmopressin pill in simple terms.
What is Desmopressin?
Simply put, Desmopressin is a synthetic hormone made in a lab that is similar to the hormone 'Vasopressin' that our body naturally produces. The hormone Vasopressin in our body sends a signal from the brain to the kidneys, controlling the amount of water that is excreted from the body as urine. So, this Desmopressin pill does the same thing.
Its main function is to control the amount of urine excreted by the kidneys. That is, it reduces the unnecessary loss of water from the body and helps maintain the body's water balance. In Sri Lanka, you may see this medicine under the brand name DDAVP.
What are the uses of this medicine?
Doctors mainly prescribe this medicine for several situations.
- Central Diabetes Insipidus: This is a condition in which the brain produces less of the hormone Vasopressin. As a result, there is excessive urination and excessive thirst. Desmopressin is very helpful in controlling this condition.
- Bed-wetting / Nocturnal Enuresis: Doctors recommend this medication for this problem, especially in children over 4 years old. It helps to reduce the amount of urine produced at night and stop the child from wetting the bed.
- After head injuries or surgery: After a severe head injury or some brain surgeries, the function of the hormone vasopressin may be temporarily impaired. It is also used to control excessive urination during such times.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before prescribing Desmopressin, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about your complete health history, especially if you have any of these conditions.
- If you have previously had a blood clot
- If you have a condition like Cystic Fibrosis
- If you have heart disease or high blood pressure
- If you have any type of kidney disease
- If you have previously been diagnosed with low blood sodium levels (this is very important)
- If you have an allergy to Desmopressin, Vasopressin or any other medicine, food, or dye
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- If a mother is breastfeeding her child
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not and the dosage to be given.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
It is very important to know exactly how to use this medicine.
- This pill should be taken with a glass of water.
- It is very important to take your medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed. If you take it once a day, take it at the same time every day (usually before going to bed at night).
- Never drink more than the doctor tells you to.
- When giving to children: When giving this medicine to children, the pediatrician's instructions should be followed exactly.
- If you accidentally take too much: If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may be dangerous.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Things to be especially careful about when taking medication
This is the most important part. You need to be very careful about some aspects of your lifestyle when taking this medicine.
Fluid Intake - Number One Attention!
This is the most important thing . Desmopressin causes water retention in the body, so you need to be very careful about how much water you drink.
Doctors usually advise, "Quench the thirst with water." Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, getWash, wash Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, getTake it easy, take Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, getRelax, relax Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, getGet rid of it, get Get rid of it, get Get rid of it, getGet rid of it, get "Shut up, shut. Drinking too much or too little water can be harmful. Because this medicine causes your body to retain water, if you drink too much water, your blood sodium levels can become dangerously low.
Illnesses
If you experience stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea, or if you develop a fever and infection, stop taking this medicine immediately and consult your doctor. This is because a large amount of water can be lost from the body during this time, and continued use of the medicine can cause serious changes in sodium levels.
Side effects that may occur due to this medicine
Like any medication, Desmopressin can have side effects. Some are minor, but others require special attention.
| Side Effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Symptoms of low sodium levels in the body | Severe headache, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, muscle twitching, restlessness, or seizures. This is an emergency. Go to the ETU immediately. |
| Sudden weight gain or swelling | Swelling in the legs or ankles, sudden weight gain. This is a sign of water retention in the body. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, chest pain or tightness. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Headache | A slight headache may occur. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling of dry mouth. |
| Mild nausea | Some stomach discomfort or nausea. |
How do you keep medicine safe?
- Be sure to keep it out of the reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
- Discard expired medication without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Desmopressin is a medication that controls the amount of urine produced by the kidneys and should only be used on medical advice.
- Be very careful about the amount of water you drink while taking this medicine. Do not drink more or less water than your doctor tells you to.
- If you experience symptoms such as severe headache, dizziness, confusion, or vomiting, it could be a dangerous sign of low sodium levels in the blood. See a doctor immediately.
- Stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor if you experience vomiting, stomach upset, or fever.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are Desmopressin / DDAVP tablets used for?
This is a very effective medicine for stopping excessive 'diabetes insipidus' and 'bedwetting' in children! It artificially injects a natural hormone (ADH) produced by our brain into the body, and reabsorbs the water that is excreted as urine.
💬 How to stop severe urinary incontinence/bedwetting with this synthetic hormone (Desmopressin)?
Normally, the brain sends orders to our kidneys to 'keep water in the body' through the hormone 'ADH'! Some people's brains don't produce this. When this medicine (pill/spray) enters the body, it goes directly to the kidneys (V2 receptors in kidneys) and closes all the gates that let water in, like turning off the tap, stopping urine production 100%.
💬 What is the dangerous danger (Black Box Warning) that can occur when taking the pill (Desmopressin) that stops urine production?
The biggest danger of this is 'Hyponatremia / Water Intoxication'! Since you are not urinating, if you drink a lot of water/liquid after taking this pill, all that water will fill your body and 100% of the salt in your blood will dissolve. If the salt drops, the patient can suddenly have seizures and go into a coma and die! (Therefore, do not drink this if you are very thirsty for water).
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment