Desmopressin Treatment for Diabetes Insipidus
These instructions are for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients with diabetes insipidus, also known as arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) who take desmopressin (DDAVP).
Important information:
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Learn more about diabetes insipidus, also called arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D).
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One of the most common treatments is a medicine called desmopressin, also known by the brand name, DDAVP. DDAVP is an artificial form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. This medicine limits the amount of urine that your child makes.
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Desmopressin can be given as a tablet, nose spray, or injection. Your healthcare team will teach you how to give the medicine to your child.
Instructions for monitoring:
Desmopressin should keep diabetes insipidus (AVP-D) under control most of the time, but it is important to monitor your child in case they are receiving too much or too little medicine.
If the dose of desmopressin is too high, your child can store too much water in their body. Call your healthcare provider to discuss lowering the dose if your child has any of the following symptoms:
If the dose of desmopressin is too low, your child may lose too much water and get dehydrated. Call your healthcare provider to discuss increasing the dose if your child has any of the following symptoms:
If your child gets desmopressin as a nasal spray and they have allergies, a stuffy nose, or other breathing problems, the desmopressin may not work properly.
If your child shows signs of a life-threatening emergency, like losing consciousness, call 911.
8:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday
215-590-3174 and ask to speak with your healthcare provider |
Evenings, weekends, and holidays
215-590-1000, ask the hospital operator for the endocrine fellow on-call |
Urgent concerns
215-590-1000, ask the hospital operator for the endocrine fellow on-call |
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Reviewed on March 3, 2023, by Shana McCormack, MD, MTR; Elizabeth Rosenfeld, MD, MSCE