Who can administer
May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife
Available preparations
DDAVP Desmopressin 4 microgram per 1ml ampoule
Reconstitution
Already in solution
Draw up using a 5 micron filter needle
Infusion fluids
Sodium chloride 0.9%
Methods of intravenous administration
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)
Dose in adults
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
Monitoring
- 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:
- Conditions characterised by fluid and/or electrolyte imbalance
- Patients at risk of increased intracranial pressure
Storage
Store between 2 to 80C
References
SPC July 2018
1. Injectable Medicines Guide Medusa, accessed online 08/02/2023
2. BNF 4 Sept 2022
Therapeutic classification
Posterior pituitary hormones- antidiuretic
