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.

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Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet

⚠ 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 Desmopressin acetate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Desmopressin acetate
Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for Desmopressin tablets are round, white tablets. They contain the active ingredient desmopressin acetate hydrate. Desmopressin tablets are used for the treatment of:

  • vasopressin-sensitive cranial diabetes insipidus (a disease causing the passing of excessive urine because not enough ADH [a hormone] is produced). Vasopressin-sensitive means that the disease can be treated with Desmopressin.
  • post-hypophysectomy polyuria/polydipsia (frequent urination or excessive drinking following the removal of the pituitary gland).
  • primary nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting in a person who has never developed night-time bladder control). 2 Before you take Desmopressin Do not take Desmopressin tablets (and talk to your doctor) if you:
  • are allergic (hypersensitive) to Desmopressin or any of the other ingredients of Desmopressin tablets (see list of ingredients in Section 6). An allergic reaction may include rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue
  • have heart disease or another condition that needs treatment with a diuretic (water tablet)
  • have abnormal blood pressure and need treatment for bed-wetting
  • drink a lot of fluid because of a mental condition
  • abuse alcohol
  • are over the age of 65 and need treatment for bed-wetting
  • have low sodium levels
  • have symptoms of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) disorder
  • have an inherited sugar disorder (galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption) Take special care with Desmopressin tablets (and talk to your doctor) if you:
  • have a kidney disorder (you may need a larger dose)
  • have heart disease
  • have cystic fibrosis Bed Wetting If you are being treated with Desmopressin for bed-wetting, your fluid intake must be limited from 1 hour before until 8 hours after taking the tablets. You should avoid drinking water while swimming and you should stop taking Desmopressin if you are vomiting or have diarrhoea until your fluid balance is back to normal. Fluid/Salt Disorder You must be careful not to drink too much fluid if you have a condition that causes a fluid or salt disorder or if you are at risk of increased intracranial pressure (pressure on the brain). It is important to monitor body weight and blood pressure during treatment with Desmopressin.

Taking other medicines Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This is especially important of the following substances as they may interact with your Desmopressin tablets:

  • antidepressants
  • chlorpromazine (for mental illness)
  • carbamazepine (for epilepsy)
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
  • loperamide (for diarrhoea) It may still be all right for you to be given Desmopressin and your doctor will be able to decide what is suitable for you. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure if you are pregnant. Driving and using machines Desmopressin has no effect on driving or using machines. Important information about some of the ingredients of Desmopressin tablets Desmopressin tablets contain lactose, which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

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PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Dosage Desmopressin tablets are taken by mouth. Always take Desmopressin exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Treatment of Diabetes Insipidus: The starting dose in adults and children is 100 micrograms, three times daily. The dose should then be adjusted according to the patient's response. For most patients, the adjusted dose is 100 to 200 micrograms, three times daily. Post-hypophysectomy polyuria/polydipsia: The dose of Desmopressin depends on the concentration of the urine. Primary nocturnal enuresis: The usual dose for children (from 5 years of age) and adults (up to 65 years of age) is 200 micrograms at bedtime. If necessary, your doctor may increase the dose to 400 micrograms. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed after 3 months by stopping treatment with Desmopressin for at least one week. If it appears that Desmopressin is not having an effect at low doses, your doctor may tell you not to take the tablets with food. If you take more Desmopressin than you should Go to the accident and emergency department at the nearest hospital straight away. Take the Desmopressin pack with you.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Desmopressin tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. All medicines can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are very rare. Stop taking Desmopressin tablets and tell your doctor or go to the nearest hospital casualty department straight away if you experience any of the following:

  • An allergic reaction. The signs may include difficulty in breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue and a rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body). The following side effects have been reported:
  • stomach pain
  • nausea (feeling sick)
  • abdominal (tummy) cramps
  • vomiting
  • headache
  • allergic skin reactions
  • more severe allergic reactions
  • emotional disturbance in children (very rare) Treatment with Desmopressin without reducing fluid intake may cause water retention or low sodium levels. Low sodium levels can cause the following side effects:
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • weight gain
  • decreased sodium in the blood
  • convulsions (fits – in serious cases) Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any 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

Desmopressin Desmopressin tablets should be kept out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Desmopressin after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store below 25°C. Store in the original package. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Keep the bottle in the outer carton. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer needed. These measures will help to protect the environment. 6 Further information What Desmopressin tablets contain The active substance is desmopressin acetate hydrate. The other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate,

potato starch, povidone, magnesium stearate and colloidal anhydrous silica. What Desmopressin tablets look like and contents of the pack 30ml plastic bottles with a tamper-proof, twist-off cap and a silica gel desiccant insert. Each bottle contains either 30 or 90 tablets. The tablets are white, round and convex with break marks. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Aspire Pharma Limited Unit 4, Rotherbrook Court Bedford Road Petersfield Hampshire, GU32 3QG United Kingdom Manufacturer Gebro Pharma GmbH, Bahnhofbichl 13, 6391 Fieberbrunn, Austria This leaflet was last revised in January 2021 8094717-04

Under licence from NTC S.r.l., Italy 1010046-P6.8

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3 How you take Desmopressin

Frequently asked questions about Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet

How do I take Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet?

Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet comes as tablet containing 100mcg. 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 Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet?

The active substance in Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet is desmopressin acetate.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet, 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 Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet 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.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Desmopressin acetate (30 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

Desmopressin acetate Tablets are indicated for:

• the treatment of vasopressin-sensitive cranial diabetes insipidus.

• the treatment of post-hypophysectomy polyuria/polydipsia.

• the treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

For oral use.

Treatment of Diabetes Insipidus:

Dosage is individual in diabetes insipidus but clinical experience has shown that the total daily dose normally lies in the range of 200micrograms to 1200micrograms. A suitable starting dose in adults and children is 100micrograms three times daily. This dosage regimen should then be adjusted in accordance with the patient's response. For the majority of patients, the maintenance dose is 100micrograms to 200micrograms three times daily.

Post-hypophysectomy polyuria/polydipsia:

The dose of Desmopressin acetate Tablets should be controlled by measurement of urine osmolality.

Primary nocturnal enuresis:

Children (from 5 years of age) and adults (up to 65 years of age) with normal urine concentrating ability who have primary nocturnal enuresis should take 200micorgrams at bedtime and only if needed should the dose be increased to 400micrograms.

The need for continued treatment should be reassessed after 3 months by means of a period of at least 1 week without Desmopressin acetate tablets.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to desmopressin or any of the excipients.

Cardiac insufficiency and other conditions requiring treatment with diuretic agents.

When used to control primary nocturnal enuresis Desmopressin acetate Tablets should only be used in patients with normal blood pressure.

Before prescribing Desmopressin acetate Tablets the diagnoses of psychogenic polydipsia and alcohol abuse should be excluded.

Desmopressin should not be prescribed to patients over the age of 65 for the treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis.

Hyponatraemia.

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose- galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Care should be taken with patients who have reduced renal function and/or cardiovascular disease or cystic fibrosis. In chronic renal disease the antidiuretic effect of Desmopressin acetate Tablets would be less than normal.

When Desmopressin acetate Tablets are used for the treatment of enuresis, fluid intake must be limited from 1 hour before until 8 hours after administration.

Patients being treated for primary nocturnal enuresis should be warned to avoid ingesting water while swimming and to discontinue Desmopressin acetate Tablets during an episode of vomiting and/or diarrhoea until their fluid balance is once again normal.

Precautions to prevent fluid overload must be taken in:

- conditions characterised by fluid and/or electrolyte imbalance

- patients at risk for increased intracranial pressure

It is important to monitor body weight and blood pressure during treatment with desmopressin.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Substances which are known to induce SIADH e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, chlorpromazine and carbamazepine, may cause an additive antidiuretic effect leading to an increased risk of water retention and/or hyponatraemia.

NSAIDs may induce water retention and/or hyponatraemia.

Concomitant treatment with loperamide may result in a 3-fold increase of desmopressin plasma concentrations, which may lead to an increased risk of water retention and/or hyponatraemia. Although not investigated, other drugs slowing transport might have the same effect.

A standardised 27% fat meal significantly decreased the absorption (rate and extent) of a 0.4mg dose of oral desmopressin. Although it did not significantly affect the pharmacodynamic effect (urine production and osmolality), there is the potential for this to occur at lower doses. If a diminution of effect is noted, then the effect of food should be considered before increasing the dose.

4.6. Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy:

Data on a limited number (n=53) of exposed pregnancies in women with diabetes insipidus indicate rare cases of malformations in children treated during pregnancy. To date, no other relevant epidemiological data are available. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal development.

Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. Blood pressure monitoring is recommended due to the increased risk of pre-eclampsia.

Lactation:

Results from analyses of milk from nursing mothers receiving high dose desmopressin (300 micrograms intranasally) indicate that the amounts of desmopressin that may be transferred to the child are considerably less than the amounts required to influence diuresis.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Gastrointestinal tract:

Stomach pain, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting

Nervous system disorders:

Headache

Very rare; emotional disturbance in children.

Skin/General:

Allergic skin reactions and more severe general allergic reactions

Treatment with desmopressin without concomitant reduction of fluid intake may lead to water retention/hyponatraemia with accompanying symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, decreased serum sodium and in serious cases, convulsions.

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 (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard).

4.9. Overdose

An overdose of Desmopressin acetate Tablets leads to a prolonged duration of action with an increased risk of water retention and/or hyponatraemia.

Treatment:

Although the treatment of hyponatraemia should be individualised, the following general recommendations can be given. Hyponatraemia is treated by discontinuing the desmopressin treatment, fluid restriction and symptomatic treatment if needed. Therefore, symptoms such as an increase in body weight, headache, nausea, abdominal cramps and in severe cases cerebral oedema, convulsions and coma may be expected.

🇷🇴 Known in Romania as

Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca

  • NOCDURNA 25 micrograme prescriptionDESMOPRESSINUM · taken by mouth
  • NOCDURNA 50 micrograme prescriptionDESMOPRESSINUM · taken by mouth
  • MINIRIN MELT 60 micrograme prescriptionDESMOPRESSINUM · taken by mouth
  • MINIRIN MELT 120 micrograme prescriptionDESMOPRESSINUM · taken by mouth
  • MINIRIN MELT 240 micrograme prescriptionDESMOPRESSINUM · taken by mouth
  • MINIRIN 0,2 mg prescriptionDESMOPRESSINUM · taken by mouth

Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →

🇵🇱 Known in Poland as

Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako

  • Minirin 0,1Desmopressini acetas · taken by mouth
  • Minirin 0,2Desmopressini acetas · taken by mouth
  • Minirin MeltDesmopressinum · taken by mouth
  • NoqturinaDesmopressinum · taken by mouth
  • AdinDesmopressinum · taken by mouth
  • DurseaDesmopressinum · taken by mouth

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 Desmopressin acetate 100 microgram Tablet. 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.

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