When you have a good night's sleep, there is nothing more annoying than having to get up to urinate not just once or twice, but several times a day. The next day, you feel tired and sleepy. In medical terms, this condition that disrupts sleep at night in adults is called `(Nocturia)`. So, as a solution to this, a medicine that doctors sometimes recommend is `Desmopressin`. Today, let's talk about this medicine and the things we need to be careful about while using it very simply.
What is Desmopressin?
Simply put, Desmopressin is a man-made copy of a hormone that our bodies naturally produce. The hormone `(vasopressin)`, which is produced in our brain, is what tells our kidneys to "OK, enough is enough, reduce the amount of urine you make." Desmopressin does the same thing.
When taken, this medicine affects our kidneys and controls the amount of urine produced, especially at night. This reduces the need to urinate frequently at night and helps us get a good night's sleep. It is mostly used to treat the condition `(Nocturia)` in adults.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
`Desmopressin` is not a medicine that can be taken at will. Before your doctor prescribes it, he or she will need to know your complete medical history. It is especially important to tell them if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your health condition | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | This medication can affect the amount of fluid in the body, which can affect heart function and blood pressure. |
| Kidney disease | Because the medicine works through the kidneys, the effects of the medicine can be dangerous if the kidneys are not functioning properly. |
| Decreased sodium levels in the blood | (Very important) One of the main side effects of Desmopressin is that it can further lower sodium levels. Therefore, it is very dangerous to give it to someone who is already low in sodium. |
| Use of loop diuretics or steroid medications | These medications also affect the body's sodium and fluid balance, so it is dangerous to take them together with Desmopressin. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods, or dyes | This is important to know if you are allergic to desmopressin or any of its ingredients. |
| Being pregnant or expecting a baby/breastfeeding | In these cases, it is essential to inform the doctor to ensure the safety of the medication. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This is not a pill that you swallow with water like a regular pill. This is a ``sublingual'' pill, meaning it dissolves under the tongue. Here's how to use it:
1. Take it on time: Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the time prescribed. This is usually taken about an hour before bedtime.
2. Do not break the seal until it is time to take the pill: Only break the blister pack containing the pill when you are ready to use it.
3. Keep your hands dry: Open the package with two well-dried hands and slowly remove the tablet.
4. Place under the tongue: Take the tablet and place it directly under the tongue .
5. Let it dissolve: Wait until it dissolves completely. Then swallow it. Do not take this pill with water. It should be taken without water.
6. Do not change the dosage: Do not take more than the prescribed dose or stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice.
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with Desmopressin
Some medications can cause dangerous side effects when taken with Desmopressin. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, traditional medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
| Do not take Desmopressin with this medicine! | |
|---|---|
| Loop Diuretics (medicines that cause more urine to be excreted) | Steroid medications (e.g. Prednisone, Cortisone) |
| Be very careful when taking this medicine. | |
| Some medications for conditions like depression and anxiety | Some medications for seizures (e.g. Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine) |
| Some narcotic medicines | NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Naproxen) |
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
- Be careful about how much water you drink: This is the most important thing. Since `Desmopressin` reduces the amount of urine you produce, if you drink a lot of water as usual, that fluid can accumulate in the body and the sodium level in the blood can drop dangerously low. This is called ``Water Intoxication``. Therefore, follow your doctor's instructions about how much fluid you should drink per day. You may be advised to limit your fluid intake, especially one hour before taking the medication and for 8 hours after taking it.
- If you are losing fluid in other ways: If you have diarrhea, vomiting, or are sweating excessively, tell your doctor. This is because the body's fluid and salt balance can change during this time, making it dangerous to take Desmopressin.
- Regular medical checkups: After starting the medication, have blood tests (especially check sodium levels) and medical checkups as directed by your doctor.
What are the side effects?
Like any medicine, Desmopressin can have side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of low sodium | Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, muscle twitching, restlessness, and seizures . |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, chest pain or tightness, changes in blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain, swelling in the legs or ankles, extreme fatigue. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Dry mouth | Slight headache, slight nausea. |
Take-Home Message
- Desmopressin is a special medication that acts like a hormone and is given to adults to treat the condition of frequent urination at night (nocturia).
- The main and most serious risk of this is low blood sodium levels. So be very aware of symptoms like headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
- Follow your doctor's fluid intake instructions carefully. Drinking too much water can be dangerous.
- When using this medicine, it is imperative to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Do not swallow the tablet. Place it under your tongue and dissolve it. Do not use water.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න