Desmopressin (DDAVP ) for bedwetting

Desmopressin (DDAVP®)
for bedwetting
How does this medicine work?
Giving DDAVP into the nose
Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic form
of vasopressin hormone, a chemical made
by the pituitary gland. It works on the
kidneys to decrease the amount of urine
made.
Check that you have the correct solution of
DDAVP, which has 10 mcg/spray. Do not
use the more concentrated nose spray
called Stimate®. It has a different
purpose.
DDAVP can help decrease bedwetting in
children. This medicine may be used alone
or with other methods to prevent
bedwetting.
1. Read the patient instruction guide for
DDAVP before giving it.
How should I give it?
DDAVP comes in nose spray and tablet
forms.
Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will
explain how much desmopressin to give and
how often to give it. Give it at bedtime
unless otherwise ordered by your doctor.
Giving DDAVP by mouth, for children
who cannot swallow pills:
•
Crush the tablet between 2 spoons, inside
a plastic bag, or in folded paper.
•
Mix the powder with a very small
amount (about 1 teaspoon) of soft food,
such as applesauce, chocolate syrup, ice
cream, jelly, or yogurt. Make sure your
child takes all of the mixture.
Do not mix medicine into hot drinks,
because the heat may destroy its
effectiveness.
2. If possible, children should blow their
nose to clear out any mucus before
receiving DDAVP. (If your child cannot
do this, bulb-suction mucus out of the
nose.)
3. Before using the medicine the first time,
prime it by spraying it into the air 4
times. If it has not been used for a week
or more, prime it again by spraying
once.
4. While holding the bottle upright, give
the prescribed number of sprays. Do not
tilt the bottle while administering, it may
affect how much drug your child will
receive. If your child’s dose is greater
than 1 spray, give half the dose into each
nostril.
5. Tell your child to sniff in (if able) as the
medicine is sprayed into the nose.
6. Rinse the spray tip with hot water and
dry with a clean cloth or tissue.
Desmopressin for bedwetting
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Are there any precautions about
food or other medicines?
What are the side effects?
Follow the directions for using this medicine
provided by your doctor.
Common
You can give DDAVP with or without food.
Avoid drinking liquids after the evening
meal while taking DDAVP. Too much extra
liquid can cause low sodium levels in the
blood.
Occasional
Rare
Check with the doctor, nurse practitioner, or
pharmacist before giving any other
prescription or non-prescription medicines,
herbs, or vitamins.
What should I do if a dose is
missed?
If a dose is missed and your child is already
sleeping, you can skip the dose and continue
the following night with the usual schedule.
Do not give it during the day, unless ordered
by your doctor.
Never give a double dose.
If you have questions on how to give a
missed dose, call your doctor or your
pharmacist.
•
•
fluid retention
redness and warmth in face
•
•
•
•
•
runny or stuffy nose
headache
nausea (upset stomach)
dizziness
faster heart rate
•
slight increase or decrease
in blood pressure
blood clots in undesired
areas
seizure
•
•
When should I call the clinic?
•
headaches or other pain not relieved by
acetaminophen (such as Tylenol )
irritation or bleeding in the nose (if using
the nose solution)
faster heart rate
rapid weight gain
dizziness
vision problems
confusion
seizures
signs of allergic reaction:
- rash or hives
- wheezing
- trouble breathing - call 911
®
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What else do I need to know?
DDAVP should not be used by any patient
who has heart problems or who has ever had
a blood clot.
If you are using the spray, check the bottle
for the number of sprays it contains. After
that number of sprays, throw the bottle away
(even if there is still some liquid in the
bottle). The patient instruction sheet that
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comes with it tells you how to keep track of
the number of sprays.
Questions?
Check with your doctor before stopping this
medicine.
This sheet is not specific to your child but
provides general information. If you have
any questions, please call the doctor or
pharmacist.
You and your child should know the names
of all the medicines he or she is taking.
Share this information with anyone
involved in your child’s care.
Before giving the first dose, read the label.
Be sure it is what was prescribed. After a
refill, if the medicine looks different to you,
ask your pharmacist about it before giving it.
Check the label and expiration date before
giving each dose. Ask your pharmacist what
to do with outdated or unused medicines. If
there is no “take-back” program empty them
into the trash.
.
Store all medicines in their original
container and away from direct sunlight or
heat. Do not store in humid places such as
the bathroom. Keep them out of children’s
reach, locked up if possible. Store the nose
spray form in the refrigerator, as far from
children’s reach as possible.
For more reading material about this and
other health topics, please call or visit the
Family Resource Center library, or visit our
Web site: www.childrensmn.org.
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Patient/Family Education
2525 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
8/09 Copyright
If too much or the wrong kind of medicine is
taken, call the Poison Control Center (tollfree 1-800-222-1222). If your child is
unconscious or has a seizure, call 911.
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