Desmopressin
Also referenced as: DDAVP
A vasopressin analogue with separate fluid-regulation and hemostatic uses.
- Evidence grade
- AStrong Clinical Evidence
Strong Clinical Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
FDA-approved indications are formulation-specific, including central diabetes insipidus, selected hemophilia A or type 1 von Willebrand disease, and certain urinary conditions.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
A vasopressin analogue with separate fluid-regulation and hemostatic uses.
FDA-approved indications are formulation-specific, including central diabetes insipidus, selected hemophilia A or type 1 von Willebrand disease, and certain urinary conditions.
Oral, nasal and injectable formulations are not interchangeable, and approved indications differ.
Why It's Being Studied
- Central diabetes insipidus
- Selected bleeding disorders
- Fluid regulation
Mechanism of Action
Predominant V2-receptor activity increases water reabsorption and can release von Willebrand factor and factor VIII.
Predominant V2-receptor activity increases water reabsorption and can release von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. Oral, nasal and injectable formulations are not interchangeable, and approved indications differ.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Central diabetes insipidus
- Selected bleeding disorders
- Fluid regulation
- Product-specific approved oral, nasal and injectable formulations
Evidence Summary
Human evidence supports indication-specific benefits in central diabetes insipidus, selected bleeding disorders and particular urinary conditions.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Desmopressin; tap to read it.
- Human evidence supports indication-specific benefits in central diabetes insipidus, selected bleeding disorders and particular urinary conditions.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Human evidence supports indication-specific benefits in central diabetes insipidus, selected bleeding disorders and particular urinary conditions.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Severe hyponatremia and water intoxication can be fatal; injection labeling includes a boxed warning.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Oral, nasal and injectable formulations are not interchangeable, and approved indications differ.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Desmopressin | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | A — Strong Clinical Evidence | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Product-specific approved oral, nasal and injectable formulations | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Desmopressin — prescribing label