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Desmopressin is used in people with certain bleeding problems (hemophilia A, type 1 von Willebrand's disease) to control bleeding caused by surgery, injuries, or heavy menstrual periods. This medication is a man-made form of a certain substance in the body called vasopressin that helps with normal blood clotting.

This medication is used as needed for bleeding episodes as directed by your doctor. It is not for regular (scheduled) use.

Read the patient instructions that come with this product before you start using desmopressin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Before using, follow the instructions on how to properly prime the bottle. Spray this medication in the nose as directed by your doctor. If the dose is more than 1 spray, spray half the dose in each nostril. For example, if the dose is 2 sprays, give 1 spray in each nostril. Keep track of the number of sprays used from the container. Discard the container after you have used the number of sprays specified on the package. If this medication is used by a child, a parent or other responsible adult should supervise and help the child use this medication properly. Limit drinking of water and other fluids while using this medication, especially in children and older adults. Consult your doctor for details. If you find that you are drinking more fluids than directed, tell your doctor immediately. Your treatment will need to be adjusted. (See also Side Effects and Precautions sections.) Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. You may need to use another dose if your doctor directs you to do so. This medication is not used on a regular schedule. Do not use more desmopressin or use it more often or for longer than prescribed. If using before surgery, give the dose 2 hours before the procedure as directed. Tell your doctor if your bleeding is not controlled.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: lithium. Other medications besides desmopressin may also affect the balance of water and sodium in your body. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you take, including: narcotic pain relievers (such as morphine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen), psychiatric medicines (such as chlorpromazine), drugs to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine), SSRI antidepressants (such as sertraline), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: confusion, drowsiness, persistent/severe headache, sudden weight gain.

Before using desmopressin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: kidney disease, a low level of sodium in the blood (current or past hyponatremia). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, heart disease (such as blocked blood vessels in the heart), conditions that may increase your risk of fluid/mineral imbalance (such as cystic fibrosis, heart failure), the urge to drink too much water without being thirsty. If you have lost too much body water (become dehydrated), your doctor will correct that condition first before starting treatment with desmopressin. Limit alcohol because it can interfere with how well desmopressin works. Changes inside the nose (such as scarring, swelling, congestion, or blockage) may affect how well desmopressin nasal spray is absorbed. Tell your doctor if you have any of these changes inside the nose because he or she may need to adjust your treatment. Tell the doctor immediately if you develop any illness that can cause water/mineral imbalance (including fever, diarrhea, vomiting, infections such as the flu) or if you experience conditions that require drinking more fluids (for example, exposure to very hot weather, strenuous exercise, persistent sweating). The doctor may need to stop or adjust desmopressin treatment, especially in children and older adults. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially water/mineral imbalance and a low level of sodium in the blood. Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, older adults may be at greater risk for water/mineral imbalance and a low level of sodium in the blood while using this drug. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep the bottle upright. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Headache, runny/stuffy nose, nausea, upset stomach, or flushing of the face may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Desmopressin reduces the amount of urine your kidneys make. It may affect the balance of water and minerals in your body. Desmopressin can infrequently cause a low level of sodium in the blood, which can be serious and possibly life-threatening. Drinking too much water or other fluids increases the risk of having a low level of sodium in the blood. Therefore, follow your doctor's directions for limiting fluids. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of a low level of sodium in the blood: loss of appetite, severe nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle weakness/spasms/cramps, sudden weight gain, unusual tiredness, unusual severe drowsiness, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, irritability), loss of consciousness, seizures, slow/shallow breathing. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.