Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Argipressin may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Argipressin Injection contains argipressin which is similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body. It is an 'antidiuretic' which helps to prevent excess loss of water in your urine and also narrows some blood vessels in the body. Argipressin is used to treat:
- diabetes insipidus. This is a rare form of diabetes causing production of large quantities of urine. Argipressin increases the amount of water absorbed back into your kidneys
- bleeding from enlarged veins in the oesophagus (food pipe).
What you need to know before you take it
Argipressin Injection You should not be given Argipressin Injection: if you are allergic to argipressin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). if you suffer from a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) to argipressin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). if you suffer from any diseases or conditions associated with your blood vessels, especially the blood vessels of your heart. if you are intended to receive halogenated anaesthetic agents during surgical procedures if you suffer from a certain type of kidney disease called chronic nephritis with nitrogen retention (your doctor will advise you) Speak to your doctor if one of these applies to you before you are given this medicine. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or nurse before you are given Argipressin Injection:
- if you suffer from asthma or other allergic conditions
- if you suffer from migraine
- if you suffer from epilepsy (fits)
- if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease (you may need to have regular blood tests)
- if you suffer from obstruction of the blood vessels of the heart (e.g. coronary artery)
- if you have undergone removal of pituitary gland (dosage will depend on urine concentration). Other medicines and Argipressin Injection Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is extremely important because some medicines can strengthen or weaken the effects of others.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following: • medicines which control seizures (carbamezepine) • other medicines to treat diabetes (chloropropamide) • medicines used in corticosteroid replacement therapy (fludrocortisone) • medicines to treat depression (e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine etc.) • antibiotics (demeclocycline) • medicines which prevent blood clotting (heparin) • medicines used to treat mania (lithium) • medicines used for severe low blood pressure or cardiac arrest (noradrenaline) • medicines containing urea (in some skin and ear preparations) • lipid lowering agent (clofibrate)
medicines which may be used in emergency for treating hypertension (hexamethonium) Argipressin Injection with food, drink and alcohol Do not drink alcohol before you are given Argipressin Injection. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you are given this medicine. As with all drugs, Argipressin should only be given in pregnancy and when breastfeeding if absolutely necessary. Your doctor will guide you. Driving and using machines Argipressin can affect your ability to drive and use machinery safely, as you may feel dizzy after receiving your injection. Speak to your doctor for further advice.
How to take it
to you It is most likely that you will be in hospital when you are given Argipressin. The recommended dose is For the treatment of diabetes insipidus: Injected under the skin or into a muscle every four hours. Your doctor will decide on the most suitable dose and way to give it to you depending on your symptoms. For the treatment of bleeding in the oesophagus: The dose is diluted in a sugar solution and slowly dripped through a needle into a vein. Your doctor will decide on the most suitable dose and way to give it to you depending on your symptoms.
Use in children and adolescents Argipressin is not recommended in children below 18 years Elderly No dose change, give as per adults. If you think you have been given more Argipressin Injection than you should have As the Injection will be administered by a doctor, it is unlikely that you will be given more than is necessary. However, if you think that you have been given too much, tell your doctor immediately. If you experience chest pain after receiving this medicine, inform your doctor immediately. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or nurse.
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can sometimes cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. All medicines can cause allergic reactions although serious allergic reactions are rare. Any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) should be reported to a doctor immediately as this can also result in a heart attack if not treated straight away. Argipressin can cause 'water intoxication'. Signs of this are drowsiness, being uninterested in anything (listless) and headaches. If you notice any of these signs, tell
the nurse or your doctor straightaway. If it is not corrected, water intoxication can lead to fits or even coma.
Other side effects include: Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- Gangrene – with symptoms of redness, swelling, loss of sensation/severe pain which can cause dead, black areas of skin- in areas such as fingers or toes • Decreased oxygen in a tissue – with symptoms of pain, pale skin, tingling skin (usually because of decreased blood flow) • Nettle rash or hives – Itchy red bumps on the skin (urticaria) • Repeated desire to pass stools (diarrhoea) • Abnormal collection of fluid in the body or 'bloating' • High blood pressure • Paleness of the lips • Wheezing • Dizziness • Feeling sick or being sick • Passing wind • Pounding in the head or a headache • Stomach ache • Excessive sweating • Shakiness In patients with disease of the heart or circulation, Argipressin may give rise to angina (chest pain). Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible
Possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Argipressin Injection Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. The storage of Argipressin Injection will not be your responsibility. Store in a refrigerator (2°C and 8°C). Keep the ampoules in the outer carton in order to protect from light. Do not freeze. For single use only. If only part used, discard the remaining solution.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Argipressin Injection contains
- The active substance is argipressin. Each 1 ml contains 20 international units argipressin (vasopressin) which is Equivalent to 0.4mg argipressin, based on 50 international units per mg).
- The other ingredients are glacial acetic acid and sufficient water for injections is used to make the final volume of 1ml. What Argipressin Injection looks like and contents of the pack Argipressin Injection is a clear, sterile solution. It is a solution for injection which comes in a small glass bottle (ampoule), containing 20 international units of the active ingredient, argipressin. Each ampoule has a blue OPC (one-point-cut) where the ampoule is opened and two (yellow and blue) product identification rings. It is available in packs of ten 1ml ampoules.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder Mercury Pharmaceutical Ltd, Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London, EC2M 1QS, United Kingdom. Manufacturer Haupt Pharma Wülfing GmbH, Bethelner Landstraße 18, D-31028 Gronau, Germany This leaflet was last revised in September 2023.
Frequently asked questions about Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection
How do I take Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection?
Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection comes as injection containing 20iu/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection?
The active substance in Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection is argipressin.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: argipressin
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
For use in diabetes insipidus, when this is not of nephrogenic origin and control of bleeding from oesophageal varices.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults
Diabetes Insipidus:
A dose of 0.25ml to 1ml (5 to 20 units) by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection every four hours.
Oesophageal Varices:
For the initial control of variceal bleeding Argipressin should be given intravenously. Argipressin, 20 units diluted in 100ml dextrose 5% w/v may be infused over a 15 minute period.
Elderly (over 65 years)
As for adults, no clinical or pharmacokinetic data specific to this age group are available. However, the drug has been successfully used at normal dosage in the elderly.
Paediatric population
Not recommended in children below 18 years.
Method of administration
Subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular injection.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Anaphylaxis to the active substance or to the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Patient with vascular disease (especially disease of coronary arteries) or those intended to receive halogenated anaesthetic agents.
Chronic nephritis with nitrogen retention contraindicates the use of Argipressin 20 International Units /ml injection until reasonable nitrogen blood levels have been attained.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
This drug should not be used in patients with systemic hypertension or vascular disease, especially disease of the coronary arteries, except with extreme caution. In such patients, even small doses may precipitate pain, and with larger doses, the possibility of myocardial infarction should be considered. If this drug must be used in patients with peripheral vascular disease then the skin should be observed carefully for signs of ischaemia.
Argipressin may produce water intoxication. The early signs of drowsiness, listlessness and headaches should be recognised to prevent terminal coma and convulsions.
Adjustment of dosage in cases immediately post-hypophysectomy should be controlled on the basis of measurements of urine osmolality.
Argipressin should be used cautiously in the presence of epilepsy, migraine, asthma, heart failure or any state in which a rapid addition to extracellular water may produce hazard for an already overburdened system.
Regular monitoring of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels is required in patients with chronic nephritis to ensure an adequate level is maintained (see section 4.3).
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The following drugs may potentiate the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin when used concurrently: carbamazepine, chlorpropamide, clofibrate, fludrocortisone, urea or tricyclic antidepressants.
The following drug may decrease the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin when given concurrently: demeclocycline, noradrenaline, lithium, heparin, alcohol.
Ganglion blocking agents may produce a marked increase in sensitivity to the pressor effect of vasopressin.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
No animal reproduction studies on Argipressin are available.
Oxytocic effect in third trimester has been reported. However, argipressin has been used successfully during pregnancy for the treatment of diabetes insipidus with no adverse effects on the foetus being reported. Nevertheless, as with all medicines, use during pregnancy should be avoided if possible and the potential benefit to the patient weighed against any possible risk to the foetus.
Breast-feeding
Argipressin has been administered to breast-feeding women without apparent adverse effect on the infant.
Fertility
No data available.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Argipressin can have an influence on driving as it may cause vertigo (see section 4.8).
4.8. Undesirable effects
The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during treatment with Argipressin with the following frequency:
Not known – cannot be estimated from the available data.
System Order Class
Adverse effects
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
Anaphylaxis
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperhydration/ water intoxication
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Vertigo
tremor
Cardiac disorder
Chest pain due to angina
Cardiac arrest
Vascular disorders
Peripheral ischaemia
Pallor
Hypertension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Bronchospasm
Gastrointestinal disorders
Flatulence
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Gangrene
Hyperhidrosis
Urticaria
Renal and urinary disorders
Fluid retention
General disorders and administration site conditions
Non-cardiac chest pain
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Management
If water intoxication occurs, no fluids should be given. In severe cases, small amounts of hypertonic saline may be administered. Urea and mannitol infusions may be helpful in cases of cerebral oedema. If a patient should experience anginal pain after administration of Argipressin, amyl nitrite by inhalation or glyceryl trinitrate sublingually, may be given.
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
- EmpesinArgipressinum · injection / infusion
- Argipressin FarmakArgipressinum · injection / infusion
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.