Desmopressin Intravenous for Adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

DDAVP Desmopressin 4 microgram per 1ml ampoule

Already in solution

Draw up using a 5 micron filter needle

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Intermittent intravenous infusion (preferred) ^{(ref 1)}

Add required dose to 50ml infusion fluid and administer over 20 minutes
The residual volume in the infusion line must be flushed through at the same rate to avoid significant underdosing

Bolus intravenous injection

For the treatment of cranial diabetes insipidus only, but can also be given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection
Administer slowly over at least 3 minutes^{(ref 1)}

Mild to moderate haemophilia and Von Willebrands disease

Give 0.4 micrograms per kg (by intravenous infusion) as a single dose immediately before surgery or after trauma
May be repeated at intervals of twelve hours

Treatment of cranial diabetes insipidus

Give 1 to 4 micrograms once daily (by subcutaneous, intramuscular or as a bolus intravenous injection)

Fibrinolytic response testing ^{(ref 2)}

Give 0.3 micrograms per kg by intravenous infusion (may also be given by subcutaneous injection)
Blood sample to be taken after twenty minutes for fibrinolytic activity

As some patients have shown a diminishing response to successive doses, it is recommended that monitoring of Factor VIII levels should continue
During infusion for haemostatic use, it is recommended that the patient's blood pressure is monitored continuously
Monitor body weight (to check for fluid overload with repeated administration)

Precautions to prevent fluid overload must be taken in:

a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #464feb;
}
tr th, tr td {
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
}
tr th {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}

Limit desmopressin use for haemostasis to 2 days or less, as longer use leads to tachyphylaxis and reduced effectiveness.

Store between 2 to 8⁰C

SPC May 2026

1. Injectable Medicines Guide Medusa, accessed online 20/05/2026

2. BNF accessed online 20/05/2026

Posterior pituitary hormones- antidiuretic