Desmopressin Intravenous for Adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

DDAVP Desmopressin 4 microgram per 1ml ampoule

Already in solution

Draw up using a 5 micron filter needle

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Intermittent intravenous infusion (preferred) (ref 1)

Add required dose to 50ml infusion fluid and administer over 20 minutes
The residual volume in the infusion line must be flushed through at the same rate to avoid significant underdosing

Bolus intravenous injection

For the treatment of cranial diabetes insipidus only, but can also be given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection
Administer slowly over 3 to 5 minutes for intravenous injection (ref 1)

Mild to moderate haemophilia and Von Willebrands disease

Give 0.4 micrograms per kg (by intravenous infusion) as a single dose immediately before surgery or after trauma
May be repeated at intervals of twelve hours

Treatment of cranial diabetes insipidus

Give 1 to 4 micrograms once daily (by subcutaneous, intramuscular or as a bolus intravenous injection)

Fibrinolytic response testing (ref 2)

Give 0.3 micrograms per kg by intravenous infusion (may also be given by subcutaneous injection)
Blood sample to be taken after twenty minutes for fibrinolytic activity

As some patients have shown a diminishing response to successive doses, it is recommended that monitoring of Factor VIII levels should continue
During infusion for haemostatic use, it is recommended that the patient's blood pressure is monitored continuously

Precautions to prevent fluid overload must be taken in:

Store between 2 to 8⁰C

SPC July 2018

1. Injectable Medicines Guide Medusa, accessed online 08/02/2023

2. BNF 4 Sept 2022

Posterior pituitary hormones- antidiuretic