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Overview: Nasal desmopressin is used to treat a rare condition that causes your body to make too much urine (pee). It works by acting like a natural hormone in your body that controls how much pee you make. Common side effects can include headaches, nosebleeds or other nasal symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose. Serious side effects are rare, but may include low blood sodium levels. Contact your health care provider if you start to have muscle weakness or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or loss of your appetite. Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines that you take before using nasal desmopressin. 

Uses

What is nasal desmopressin used for?

Nasal desmopressin is commonly used to treat a condition called central diabetes insipidus. People with this condition do not make enough of a substance called vasopressin. Vasopressin helps to control the amount of urine you make. People with central diabetes insipidus make too much urine.

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

Desmopressin is also available for use by mouth or injection. See desmopressin for more information.

How does nasal desmopressin work (mechanism of action)?

Nasal desmopressin works by acting like a substance in your body called vasopressin. Vasopressin helps to control how much urine your body makes.

How is nasal desmopressin supplied (dosage forms)?

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 10 mcg/spray as a 0.01% nasal solution

How should I store nasal desmopressin?

Some nasal desmopressin products should be stored at room temperature between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C) and may be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Some nasal desmopressin products should be stored in a refrigerator between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to store your nasal desmopressin product. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of nasal desmopressin?

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

  • Headache
  • Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough
  • Nosebleed
  • Nausea
  • Flushing
  • Stomach cramps

There may be other side effects of nasal desmopressin 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 nasal desmopressin?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nasal desmopressin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using nasal desmopressin 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 Level (Hyponatremia). Nasal desmopressin may cause low sodium levels, which may cause death. Talk with your health care provider about how much water you need to drink. Stop using the medicine and call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low sodium level.

  • 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, decreased awareness, or alertness
  • Seizures

Swelling or Scarring in the Nose. Use of nasal desmopressin for a long time may cause scarring and swelling inside your nose. Scarring and swelling can decrease the amount of the medicine your body gets. Call your health care provider if you feel like nasal desmopressin is not working.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use nasal desmopressin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use nasal desmopressin.

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

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific nasal desmopressin products they stock.

Low Sodium Level (Hyponatremia). Nasal desmopressin may cause a low sodium level, also called hyponatremia. Do not use nasal desmopressin if you have or have had low blood sodium levels.

Kidney Problems. Nasal desmopressin should not be used 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 determine if they are working well enough to use this medicine.

What should I know about nasal desmopressin before using it?

Do not use nasal desmopressin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

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

Keep nasal desmopressin out of the reach of children.

Follow the instructions for use when using nasal desmopressin for the first time or when you haven’t used it in more than 7 days. The medicine needs to be primed, so you get the correct dose.  

Throw away nasal desmopressin after using 50 sprays. You may not get the correct dose if you try to use nasal desmopressin after using 50 sprays.

Children and people above the age of 65 years can be at a greater risk for some side effects of nasal desmopressin. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in one of these age groups.

What should I tell my health care provider before using nasal desmopressin?

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 nasal desmopressin 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 any of the following health conditions.

  • Low blood sodium levels
  • Kidney problems
  • Nasal problems such as nasal sores, nasal injury, stuffy nose, trouble breathing through your nose, or a recent nasal surgery
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease or heart failure
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • A condition that causes you to be very thirsty (polydipsia)

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

Breastfeeding. It is not known if nasal desmopressin passes 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 use nasal desmopressin while breastfeeding. 

Interactions

Does nasal desmopressin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between nasal desmopressin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect nasal desmopressin.

Does nasal desmopressin 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 using nasal desmopressin.

  • Tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are medicines used to treat depression
  • Chlorpromazine, a medicine used to treat certain mental health conditions
  • An opiate, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and others, which is contained in many prescription products for pain
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Lamotrigine or carbamazepine, which are medicines used to treat seizures
  • Oxybutynin, which is a medicine to treat overactive bladder
  • Certain medicines that increase blood pressure, such as pseudoephedrine, which is contained in many OTC products for colds or allergies 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with nasal desmopressin. 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 use too much nasal desmopressin?

If you or someone else has used too much nasal desmopressin, 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 nasal desmopressin?

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