What is Ddavp: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Ddavp overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • DDAVP, DDAVP Rhinal Tube, Noctiva, Stimate, Stimate, DDAVP, DDAVP, Desmopressin Acetate Novaplus

Generic Names:

  • Desmopressin Acetate Spray

Uses:

  • Treats bleeding disorders. Also treats diabetes insipidus., Treats diabetes insipidus. Also treats bedwetting problems., Treats thirst and frequent urination caused by central diabetes insipidus or brain injuries. Treats bleeding disorders (including hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease). Also treats nocturnal polyuria (frequent urination and increased volume of urine at night).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Hemostatic, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Hemostatic

Forms:

  • Injectable, Tablet, Spray, Drop

How it’s taken:

  • Into the nose, By mouth, By injection

What is Ddavp used for?

DDAVP is a man-made form of a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin controls the amount of urine the body makes. DDAVP replaces low levels of Vasopressin and controls the amount of urine your kidneys make.

What form(s) does Ddavp come in

  • Injectable

  • Tablet

  • Spray

  • Drop

What are common Ddavp doses?

  • Tablet 0.1MG

  • Tablet 0.2MG

  • Bottle 5ML of 0.01%

  • Vial 10ML of 4MCG/ML

Common Ddavp prescriptions

  • DDAVP Pf
    1ml of 4mcg/ml ampule

How to take Ddavp

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Nasal routeThis medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Nasal routeBefore using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.

  • DDAVP® or desmopressin generic: Prime the spray bottle the first time you use it by spraying 4 times into the air, away from your face. Prime it again with 1 spray if you do not use the bottle for more than 7 days.Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine after 50 sprays.

  • DDAVP® Rhinal Tube System: This is a soft plastic tube with numbers (doses) marked on the side. Draw the drops into the tube until the liquid reaches the number for your dose. Put one end of the tube into your nose and the other end into your mouth. Blow gently until the medicine is sprayed into your nose. Do not let any medicine run down through the tube into your mouth.

  • Noctiva„¢: Prime the spray bottle the first time by spraying 5 times into the air or until you see a fine mist. Spray away from your face. Prime it again with 2 sprays if you do not use the bottle for more than 3 days.Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine 60 days after opening.

  • Stimate®: Prime the spray bottle the first time by spraying 4 times into the air or until you see a fine mist. Spray away from your face. Prime it again with 1 spray if you do not use the bottle for more than 7 days.Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine after 25 sprays.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Noctiva„¢: If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

  • DDAVP®: Store at room temperature in an upright position.Desmopressin generic or DDAVP® Rhinal Tube System: Store in the refrigerator in an upright position. If you will be traveling, the product is good for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.Stimate®: Store at room temperature in an upright position. Throw the bottle away 6 months after it is used for the first time.Noctiva„¢: Keep the unopened nasal spray bottle in the refrigerator in an upright position. You may store the opened bottle at room temperature.

  • DDAVP®: Store at room temperature in an upright position.Desmopressin generic or DDAVP® Rhinal Tube System: Store in the refrigerator in an upright position. If you will be traveling, the product is good for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.Stimate®: Store at room temperature in an upright position. Throw the bottle away 6 months after it is used for the first time.Noctiva„¢: Keep the unopened nasal spray bottle in the refrigerator in an upright position. You may store the opened bottle at room temperature.

  • Stimate®: Prime the spray bottle the first time by spraying 4 times into the air or until you see a fine mist. Spray away from your face. Prime it again with 1 spray if you do not use the bottle for more than 7 days.Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine after 25 sprays.

  • DDAVP® or desmopressin generic: Prime the spray bottle the first time you use it by spraying 4 times into the air, away from your face. Prime it again with 1 spray if you do not use the bottle for more than 7 days.Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine after 50 sprays.

  • DDAVP®: Store at room temperature in an upright position.Desmopressin generic or DDAVP® Rhinal Tube System: Store in the refrigerator in an upright position. If you will be traveling, the product is good for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.Stimate®: Store at room temperature in an upright position. Throw the bottle away 6 months after it is used for the first time.Noctiva„¢: Keep the unopened nasal spray bottle in the refrigerator in an upright position. You may store the opened bottle at room temperature.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Noctiva„¢: If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

  • Nasal routeThis medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

  • DDAVP® Rhinal Tube System: This is a soft plastic tube with numbers (doses) marked on the side. Draw the drops into the tube until the liquid reaches the number for your dose. Put one end of the tube into your nose and the other end into your mouth. Blow gently until the medicine is sprayed into your nose. Do not let any medicine run down through the tube into your mouth.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Noctiva„¢: Prime the spray bottle the first time by spraying 5 times into the air or until you see a fine mist. Spray away from your face. Prime it again with 2 sprays if you do not use the bottle for more than 3 days.Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine 60 days after opening.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Nasal routeBefore using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.

  • DDAVP®: Store at room temperature in an upright position.Desmopressin generic or DDAVP® Rhinal Tube System: Store in the refrigerator in an upright position. If you will be traveling, the product is good for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.Stimate®: Store at room temperature in an upright position. Throw the bottle away 6 months after it is used for the first time.Noctiva„¢: Keep the unopened nasal spray bottle in the refrigerator in an upright position. You may store the opened bottle at room temperature.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ddavp

Ddavp contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to desmopressin. Do not use Noctiva„¢ if you are thirsty most of the time and drink large amounts of fluids, wet the bed while sleeping at night, or have a condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to desmopressin, or if you have moderate to severe kidney disease.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to desmopressin, or if you have moderate to severe kidney disease.

Ddavp warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, or a history of blood clots.

  • This medicine may cause low levels of sodium in your blood. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how much liquid to drink each day.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, or cystic fibrosis.

  • This medicine may cause low levels of sodium in your blood. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how much liquid to drink each day.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, a nose injury or infection, head injury, or trouble urinating. Tell your doctor about all heart, circulation, or blood problems you have, including heart failure, high blood pressure, or a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Fluid retention (swelling)High blood pressureBlood clotting problems

  • Your doctor may limit the amount of fluid or water you drink each day, because this medicine will affect how your body stores water.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. For patients with nocturnal polyuria: Your doctor will need to measure your urine and the times that you urinate for 24 hours.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Severe headache that does not go away

Ddavp interactions

  • Do not use Noctiva„¢ together with certain diuretic (water pill, including furosemide, torsemide) or systemic or inhaled glucocorticoids (including dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone).

  • Some medicines can affect how desmopressin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, hydrochlorothiazide, lamotrigineBlood pressure medicineMedicine to treat anxietyMedicine to treat depression (including SSRIs, TCAs)Medicine to treat an overactive bladderNarcotic pain relieverNSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen).

  • Your doctor may limit the amount of fluid or water you drink each day, because this medicine will affect how your body stores water.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, or cystic fibrosis.

  • This medicine may cause low levels of sodium in your blood. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how much liquid to drink each day.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Some medicines can affect how desmopressin works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following: CarbamazepineChlorpromazineLamotrigineMedicine to treat depressionNarcotic pain medicineAn NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)

  • This medicine may cause low levels of sodium in your blood. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how much liquid to drink each day.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Ddavp side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Nosebleeds, painful nostrils

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Confusion, weakness, muscle twitching or spasms, seizures

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling of your feet, legs, or ankles

  • Severe headache that does not go away

  • Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting that does not go away

  • Seizure

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Confusion, weakness, muscle twitching, weight gain

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Confusion, weakness, muscle twitching, weight gain

  • Seizures

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache, flushing

  • Pain, swelling, or burning pain where the needle is placed

  • Mild stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

  • Mild stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

  • Headache, flushing

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Mild nausea or stomach pain