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Overview: Desmoda is used to manage a condition called central diabetes insipidus. It works by acting like a natural hormone that helps balance the amount of fluid in your body. Common side effects can include headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Serious side effects may include low sodium levels or fluid retention. Tell your health care provider if you feel tired, restless, irritable, or have confusion or hallucinations. Talk with your health care provider about how to limit your fluid intake while taking Desmoda. Desmoda is a liquid that is taken by mouth.

Uses

What is Desmoda used for?

Desmoda (desmopressin) is commonly used to manage central diabetes insipidus, which is a rare condition where the body loses too much water through peeing.

Desmoda may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Desmoda work (mechanism of action)?

People with central diabetes insipidus do not make enough of a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin helps balance the amount of fluid in the body. Desmoda acts like the vasopressin hormone made naturally by the body, which helps maintain the body’s water balance. 

How is Desmoda supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Desmoda

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.05 mg/mL oral solution

How should I store Desmoda?

Desmoda should be stored in a refrigerator or at room temperature, between 36 F and 77 F (2 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures up to 86 F (30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Do not freeze. Throw away any leftover medicine 120 days after first opening the bottle.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Desmoda?

The most common side effects of Desmoda are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea 
  • Stomach pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of Desmoda that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Desmoda?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Desmoda are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Desmoda may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Desmoda and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Low Sodium Levels (Hyponatremia). Drinking too much fluid while taking Desmoda may lead to low sodium (salt) levels. This can be deadly if not treated. Follow your health care provider’s instructions about how much fluid to drink while taking Desmoda. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Tiredness or sleepiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weight gain
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Change in your mental condition, such as hallucinations, confusion, or decreased awareness or alertness
  • Seizures

Fluid Retention (Edema). Desmoda may cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious issues in people with certain conditions, such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Swollen body parts, such as the belly or ankles

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take Desmoda?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Desmoda.

  • Desmoda
  • Desmopressin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Desmoda.

Kidney Problems. Desmoda should not be taken if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your health care provider may do tests to see if they are working well enough to take this medicine.

Low Sodium Levels (Hyponatremia). Desmoda should not be taken if you have low sodium levels or have had low sodium levels in the past. 

What should I know about Desmoda before taking it?

Do not take Desmoda unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Desmoda with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Desmoda out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Drinking too much fluid while you are taking Desmoda can increase your risk of low sodium levels, which can cause serious side effects. Children or older adults may be at higher risk of having low sodium levels. Talk with your health care provider about how to limit your fluid intake while taking Desmoda and follow their instructions closely.

You may need to stop taking Desmoda for a short time in certain situations. This can include if you are sick with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, or if you exercise a lot or spend time in very hot weather. These situations may cause you to drink more water than usual, which can raise your risk of low sodium levels. Talk with your health care provider about having a plan for times like these.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider while you are taking Desmoda so they can see how it is working for you. Your health care provider may tell you to adjust your dose based on how you respond to the medicine.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking Desmoda?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Desmoda is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Desmoda may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Desmoda, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Premature or Newborn Babies. Desmoda contains a preservative, called benzyl alcohol, that may cause serious problems in premature babies or low birth weight infants. Your health care provider will let you know if this medicine is safe for your baby.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Desmoda could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Desmoda while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Desmoda may pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Desmoda while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Desmoda?

For more information about Desmoda, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.desmoda.com or call them at 833-343-2500.

Interactions

Does Desmoda interact with foods or drinks?

Desmoda should be taken on an empty stomach. Take it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Taking Desmoda with food may make it not work as well. 

It is best to avoid alcohol or limit the amount you drink. Drinking alcohol, coffee, or other drinks that have caffeine can cause you to pee more. You may lose too much water and become dehydrated. 

Does Desmoda interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Desmoda.

  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Chlorpromazine, which is a medicine that may be used to treat certain mental health conditions or severe nausea and vomiting
  • An opioid, such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine, or oxycodone, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain
  • A thiazide diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, or indapamide, which is a medicine commonly used to lower blood pressure
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal, Subvenite, and others), which is a medicine used to manage certain types of seizures or bipolar disorder
  • A sulfonylurea, such as glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide, which is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes
  • Oxybutynin, which is a medicine commonly used for overactive bladder
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Any medicine that can narrow blood vessels (vasoconstrictor), such as a triptan (eletriptan, sumatriptan, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Desmoda. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much Desmoda?

If you or someone else has used too much Desmoda, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Desmoda?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.