What is vasopressin?
Vasopressin is a man-made form of a hormone called "anti-diuretic hormone" that is
normally secreted by the pituitary gland. In the body, vasopressin acts on the kidneys and blood
vessels.
Vasopressin helps prevent the loss of water from the body by reducing urine output and
helping the kidneys reabsorb water in the body. Vasopressin also raises blood pressure by
constricting (narrowing) blood vessels.
Vasopressin is used to treat diabetes insipidus, which is caused by a lack of this naturally
occurring pituitary hormone in the body. Vasopressin is also used to treat or prevent certain
conditions of the stomach after surgery or during abdominal x-rays.
Vasopressin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vasopressin?
You should not receive this medication if you have a chronic kidney condition such
as Bright's disease.
Before receiving vasopressin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
-
asthma;
-
kidney disease;
-
congestive heart failure;
-
coronary artery disease, hardening of the arteries;
-
circulation problems;
-
migraine headaches; or
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive
vasopressin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Vasopressin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not
receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take vasopressin?
Vasopressin is given as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. You will receive this
injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Vasopressin is usually given as needed every 3 to 4
hours. The time interval between doses will depend on how your body responds to the
medication.
To treat diabetes insipidus, vasopressin is sometimes given into the nose by nasal spray or
medicine dropper, or insertion of a cotton pad that has been soaked in vasopressin.
When used for abdominal x-ray, vasopressin injections are usually given at 2 hours
before and 30 minutes before your x-ray. Your doctor may also recommend you receive an
enema before you receive your first dose of vasopressin.
Vasopressin can cause temporary side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, or
"blanching" of your skin (such as pale spots when you press on the skin). Drinking 1 or 2 glasses
of water each time you receive an injection may help ease these side effects.
Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should
drink during your treatment with vasopressin. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as
unsafe as not drinking enough.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be
tested on a regular basis. You heart function may also need to be tested.
What happens if I miss a dose of vasopressin?
Since vasopressin is usually given as needed in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you
will miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about vasopressin?
Your pharmacist has information about vasopressin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of vasopressin?
Some people receiving vasopressin have had an immediate reaction to the
medication. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel weak, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or
have a fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or weak breathing just after receiving vasopressin.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
slow or uneven heart rate;
-
gasping or trouble breathing;
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
tingling or loss of feeling in your hands or feet;
-
skin changes or discoloration;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting; or
-
severe nausea or stomach pain.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about vasopressin?
You should not receive this medication if you have a chronic kidney condition such
as Bright's disease.
Before receiving vasopressin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have asthma, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, hardened arteries, migraine headaches, or
seizures.
Some people receiving vasopressin have had an immediate reaction to the
medication. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel weak, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or
have a fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or weak breathing just after receiving vasopressin.
Vasopressin can cause temporary side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, or
"blanching" of your skin (such as pale spots when you press on the skin). Drinking 1 or 2 glasses
of water each time you receive an injection may help ease these side effects.
Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should
drink during your treatment with vasopressin. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as
unsafe as not drinking enough.
What should I avoid while taking vasopressin?
Avoid drinking alcohol during your treatment with vasopressin. Alcohol can make
vasopressin less effective.
What other drugs will affect vasopressin?
Before receiving vasopressin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
-
chlorpropamide (Diabinese);
-
clofibrate (Atromid-S);
-
fludrocortisone (Florinef Acetate);
-
demeclocycline (Declomycin);
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
-
heparin (HepLock);
-
a muscle relaxer; or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin
(Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or
trimipramine (Surmontil).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive
vasopressin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect vasopressin. Tell your doctor about all
the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of vasopressin?