title: Clinical experience with desmopressin: efficacy and safety in central diabetes insipidus and other conditions.
abstract: Because of its selective antidiuretic activity, desmopressin is recognized as the drug of choice for central diabetes insipidus. Compared with previously available treatments, it has a greatly enhanced therapeutic profile, allowing more specific antidiuresis without adverse reactions. Its selective antidiuretic activity is used with advantage in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis and as a diagnostic test of tubular function. Desmopressin is available for intranasal and parenteral administration; antidiuretic doses range from 10 to 40 micrograms intranasally and from 2 to 4 micrograms intravenously or subcutaneously. For its hemostatic effect, a single infusion of desmopressin at a dose of 0.3 microgram/kg has been used in most studies. Well-documented evidence shows that desmopressin is safe and efficacious as a selective antidiuretic agent for the treatment of central diabetes insipidus and nocturnal enuresis and as a diagnostic test of tubular function. Even at the 15-fold higher doses used in bleeding disorders, desmopressin appears to be well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004775:Enuresis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006490:Hemostatics; D006801:Humans; D007671:Kidney Concentrating Ability / Q000187:drug effects; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin