A Look at Desmopressin Acetate (DDAVP)

One of the most commonly prescribed medications for primary nocturnal enuresis is Desmopressin Acetate (abbreviated to DDAVP). This drug is a synthetic form of an antidiuretic hormone in the body known as vasopressin and it can be administered either in tablet form or more commonly as a nose spray.

This medication decreases the amount of urine manufactured by the kidneys and therefore decreases how much urine exits the body.

It is important to take this medicine right before bedtime and, if you are using the nasal spray, to blow your nose before you use it. It is important to familiarize yourself with the directions before using the nasal or nasal solution and always use as directed.

This medicine should not be used on children who are under six years. DDAVP starts to work promptly and is considered safe to use although it does have a few possible side effects.

The most common three side effects are headaches, nausea and stomach pain. If you develop a headache, taking a mild pain reliever is likely to bring relief from the discomfort. To avoid nausea eat small but frequent meals instead of large meals. As well, chewing gums or sucking hard candies can lower the chance of nausea.

For adults taking this medicine there are precautions you should be aware of concerning it. First, alcohol should be avoided while taking this drug. This means all kinds of beer, wine and any hard liquor. Alcohol may interfere with the proper functioning of the drug.

If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant make sure your doctor is made aware of this. As well, women who are breast-feeding are not advised to use this drug.

If you are allergic to anything, it is important that your doctor or health care provider knows this, even if it seems insignificant to you. Explain how the allergic reactions you suffered in the past affected you, such as if you experienced any of these symptoms- itching, rash, hives, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face, throat, lips, tongue, etc.

If for some reason you forget to take a dose at the specified time then take it as soon as you remember. However if it is close to the time for the next dose then opt for the regular dose and just skip the one you missed.

Go back to your regular schedule of taking the dose at the appropriate time and don’t worry about it too much. Whatever you do never take two doses at once or extras as this can over load the body and be harmful to the system.

DDAVP is considered to be safe and effective for most patients and has a success rate that is somewhere between twenty-five to sixty-five percent. This drug is fast absorbing and if it is helping the patient then it can be administered every week for three to six months and then on a gradual basis, it can be decreased. For example, it can be dropped down to four or fives doses a week and then down to two or three and finally it can be dispensed with all together.

There are sometimes relapses with this drug but for the most part, it does what it is supposed to for the bed wetter.

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