On this page
desmopressin acetate
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Factor VIII Activator [EPC] | EPC | 6 members — no class page |
| Increased Coagulation Factor VIII Activity [PE] | PE | 6 members — no class page |
| Increased Coagulation Factor VIII Concentration [PE] | PE | 6 members — no class page |
| Vasopressin Analog [EPC] | EPC | 6 members — no class page |
| Vasopressins [CS] | CS | All 10 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 077414-001 | DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE | TABLET | DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE | Prescription | AB | ||
| 077414-002 | DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE | TABLET | DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE | Prescription | AB |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 8 | Labeling | Approved | January 23, 2015 | — |
| Supplement | 5 | Labeling | Approved | September 3, 2008 | — |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | March 7, 2006 | — |
Review documents
- 0 · Supplement · February 27, 2018
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20251113). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE Central Diabetes Insipidus: Desmopressin acetate tablets are indicated as antidiuretic replacement therapy in the management of central diabetes insipidus and for the management of the temporary polyuria and polydipsia following head trauma or surgery in the pituitary region. Desmopressin acetate tablets are ineffective for the treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Patients were selected for therapy based on the diagnosis by means of the water deprivation test, the hypertonic saline infusion test, and/or response to antidiuretic hormone. Continued response to desmopressin acetate can be monitored by measuring urine volume and osmolality. Primary Nocturnal Enuresis: Desmopressin acetate tablets are indicated for the management of primary nocturnal enuresis. Desmopressin acetate tablets may be used alone or as an adjunct to behavioral conditioning or other non-pharmacologic intervention.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Central Diabetes Insipidus: The dosage of Desmopressin Acetate Tablets must be determined for each individual patient and adjusted according to the diurnal pattern of response. Response should be estimated by two parameters: adequate duration of sleep and adequate, not excessive, water turnover. Patients previously on intranasal desmopressin acetate therapy should begin tablet therapy twelve hours after the last intranasal dose. During the initial dose titration period, patients should be observed closely and appropriate safety parameters measured to assure adequate response. Patients should be monitored at regular intervals during the course of Desmopressin Acetate Tablet therapy to assure adequate antidiuretic response. Modifications in dosage regimen should be implemented as necessary to assure adequate water turnover. Fluid restriction should be observed. (See WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS , Pediatric Use and Geriatric Use .) Adults and Children: It is recommended that patients be started on doses of 0.05 mg (1/2 of the 0.1 mg tablet) two times a day and individually adjusted to their optimum therapeutic dose. Most patients in clinical trials found that the optimal dosage range is 0.1 mg to 0.8 mg daily, administered in divided doses. Each dose should be separately adjusted for an adequate diurnal rhythm of water turnover. Total daily dosage should be increased or decreased in the range of 0.1 mg to 1.2 mg divided into two or three daily doses as needed to obtain adequate antidiuresis. See Pediatric Use subsection for special considerations when administering desmopressin acetate to pediatric diabetes insipidus patients. Geriatric Use: This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , Human Pharmacokinetics, CONTRAINDICATIONS , and PRECAUTIONS , Geriatric Use .) Primary Nocturnal Enuresis: The dosage of Desmopressin Acetate Tablets must be determined for each individual patient and adjusted according to response. Patients previously on intranasal desmopressin acetate therapy can begin tablet therapy the night following (24 hours after) the last intranasal dose. The recommended initial dose for patients age 6 years and older is 0.2 mg at bedtime. The dose may be titrated up to 0.6 mg to achieve the desired response. Fluid restriction should be observed, and fluid intake should be limited to a minimum from 1 hour before desmopressin acetate administration, until the next morning, or at least 8 hours after administration. (See WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS , Pediatric Use and Geriatric Use .)
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Desmopressin acetate tablets are contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to desmopressin acetate or to any of the components of desmopressin acetate tablets. Desmopressin acetate tablets are contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (defined as a creatinine clearance below 50 mL/min). Desmopressin acetate tablets are contraindicated in patients with hyponatremia or a history of hyponatremia.
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNINGS Very rare cases of hyponatremia have been reported from world-wide postmarketing experience in patients treated desmopressin acetate. Desmopressin acetate is a potent antidiuretic which, when administered, may lead to water intoxication and/or hyponatremia. Unless properly diagnosed and treated hyponatremia can be fatal. Therefore, fluid restriction is recommended and should be discussed with the patient and/or guardian. Careful medical supervision is required. When desmopressin acetate tablets are administered, in particular in pediatric and geriatric patients, fluid intake should be adjusted downward to decrease the potential occurrence of water intoxication and hyponatremia. (See PRECAUTIONS , Pediatric Use and Geriatric Use .) All patients receiving desmopressin acetate tablets therapy should be observed for the following signs of symptoms associated with hyponatremia: headache, nausea/vomiting, decreased serum sodium, weight gain, restlessness, fatigue, lethargy, disorientation, depressed reflexes, loss of appetite, irritability, muscle weakness, muscle spasms or cramps and abnormal mental status such as hallucinations, decreased consciousness and confusion. Severe symptoms may include one or a combination of the following: seizure, coma and/or respiratory arrest. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of the rare occurrence of an extreme decrease in plasma osmolality that may result in seizures which could lead to coma. Desmopressin acetate tablets should be used with caution in patients with habitual or psychogenic polydipsia who may be more likely to drink excessive amounts of water, putting them at greater risk of hyponatremia.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingADVERSE REACTIONS Infrequently, large doses of the intranasal formulations of desmopressin acetate and desmopressin acetate injection have produced transient headache, nausea, flushing and mild abdominal cramps. These symptoms have disappeared with reduction in dosage. Central Diabetes Insipidus In long-term clinical studies in which patients with diabetes insipidus were followed for periods up to 44 months of desmopressin acetate tablet therapy, transient increases in AST (SGOT) no higher than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal were occasionally observed. Elevated AST (SGOT) returned to the normal range despite continued use of desmopressin acetate tablets. Primary Nocturnal Enuresis The only adverse event occurring in ≥ 3% of patients in controlled clinical trials with desmopressin acetate tablets that was probably, possibly, or remotely related to study drug was headache (4% desmopressin acetate, 3% placebo). Other The following adverse events have been reported; however their relationship to desmopressin acetate has not been established: abnormal thinking, diarrhea, and edema-weight gain. See WARNINGS for the possibility of water intoxication and hyponatremia. Postmarketing There have been rare reports of hyponatremic convulsions associated with concomitant use with the following medications: oxybutinin and imipramine. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-866-901-DRUG (3784) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug LabelingDrug Interactions: Although the pressor activity of desmopressin acetate is very low compared to its antidiuretic activity, large doses of desmopressin acetate tablets should be used with other pressor agents only with careful patient monitoring. The concomitant administration of drugs that may increase the risk of water intoxication with hyponatremia, (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, chlorpromazine, opiate analgesics, NSAIDs, lamotrigine and carbamazepine) should be performed with caution.
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION Desmopressin Acetate Tablets are a synthetic analogue of the natural pituitary hormone 8-arginine vasopressin (ADH), an antidiuretic hormone affecting renal water conservation. It is chemically defined as follows: Mol. Wt. 1129.27 Empirical Formula: C 46 H 64 N 14 O 12 S 2 • C 2 H 4 O 2 where 1<x<1.5 1-(3-mercaptopropionic acid)-8-D-arginine vasopressin monoacetate (salt). Desmopressin acetate tablets, for oral administration, contain either 0.1 or 0.2 mg desmopressin acetate. In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, corn starch, and magnesium stearate. Structural Formula
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE Signs of overdose may include confusion, drowsiness, continuing headache, problems with passing urine and rapid weight gain due to fluid retention. (See WARNINGS .) In case of overdose, the dose should be reduced, frequency of administration decreased, or the drug withdrawn according to the severity of the condition. There is no known specific antidote for desmopressin acetate. The patient should be observed and treated with appropriate symptomatic therapy. An oral LD 50 has not been established. Oral doses up to 0.2 mg/kg/day have been administered to dogs and rats for 6 months without any significant drug-related toxicities reported. An intravenous dose of 2 mg/kg in mice demonstrated no effect.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Desmopressin Acetate Tablets, 0.1 mg, are white to off-white, modified oval shape, biconvex tablets debossed “A” above deep break line and “18” below deep break line on one side and plain on the other side. The tablets are supplied as follows: Bottles of 100: NDC 10702-169-01 Desmopressin Acetate Tablets, 0.2 mg, are white to off-white, round shape, biconvex tablets debossed “A” above deep break line and “19” below deep break line on one side and plain on the other side. The tablets are supplied as follows: Bottles of 100: NDC 10702-170-01 Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted within 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Avoid exposure to excessive heat or light. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container, as defined in USP, with a child-resistant closure. Keep out of the reach of children. Manufactured by: KVK-Tech, Inc. 110 Terry Drive Newtown, PA 18940 Manufacturer’s code: 10702 Item ID #: 6299/01 Rev.: 02/2019 KVK logo
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Recalls
Source: FDA Enforcement| Classification | Reported | Firm | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class II | December 7, 2022 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc | Subpotent Drug | Terminated |
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60687-721-21 | 60687-721 | American Health Packaging | 30 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (60687-721-21) / 1 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK (60687-721-11) | February 16, 2024 |
| 60687-732-21 | 60687-732 | American Health Packaging | 30 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (60687-732-21) / 1 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK (60687-732-11) | December 28, 2023 |
| 60505-0257-1 | 60505-0257 | Apotex Corp. | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (60505-0257-1) | March 7, 2006 |
| 60505-0258-1 | 60505-0258 | Apotex Corp. | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (60505-0258-1) | March 7, 2006 |
| 59651-249-01 | 59651-249 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (59651-249-01) | March 21, 2024 |
| 59651-250-01 | 59651-250 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (59651-250-01) | March 21, 2024 |
| 68001-574-00 | 68001-574 | BluePoint Laboratories | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68001-574-00) | August 3, 2023 |
| 68001-575-00 | 68001-575 | BluePoint Laboratories | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68001-575-00) | August 3, 2023 |
| 63629-3257-1 | 63629-3257 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63629-3257-1) | October 10, 2024 |
| 71335-2342-1 | 71335-2342 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (71335-2342-1) | February 6, 2024 |
| 68462-275-01 | 68462-275 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-275-01) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-275-10 | 68462-275 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-275-10) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-275-30 | 68462-275 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-275-30) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-275-90 | 68462-275 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-275-90) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-276-01 | 68462-276 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-276-01) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-276-10 | 68462-276 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-276-10) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-276-30 | 68462-276 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-276-30) | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-276-90 | 68462-276 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (68462-276-90) | May 28, 2015 |
| 23155-489-01 | 23155-489 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-489-01) | May 26, 2017 |
| 23155-489-05 | 23155-489 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 500 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-489-05) | May 26, 2017 |
| 23155-490-01 | 23155-490 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-490-01) | May 26, 2017 |
| 23155-490-05 | 23155-490 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 500 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-490-05) | May 26, 2017 |
| 10702-169-01 | 10702-169 | KVK-TECH, INC. | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (10702-169-01) | January 28, 2019 |
| 10702-170-01 | 10702-170 | KVK-TECH, INC. | 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (10702-170-01) | January 28, 2019 |
| 69918-101-01 | 69918-101 | Nordic Pharma, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (69918-101-01) / 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | December 10, 2015 |
| 69918-201-01 | 69918-201 | Nordic Pharma, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (69918-201-01) / 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | December 10, 2015 |
| 51655-461-52 | 51655-461 | Northwind Health Company, LLC | 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (51655-461-52) | October 29, 2020 |
| 70518-4612-0 | 70518-4612 | REMEDYREPACK INC. | 50 POUCH in 1 BOX (70518-4612-0) / 1 TABLET in 1 POUCH (70518-4612-1) | April 23, 2026 |
| 60687-721 | 60687-721 | American Health Packaging | — | February 16, 2024 |
| 60687-732 | 60687-732 | American Health Packaging | — | December 28, 2023 |
| 60505-0257 | 60505-0257 | Apotex Corp. | — | March 7, 2006 |
| 60505-0258 | 60505-0258 | Apotex Corp. | — | March 7, 2006 |
| 59651-249 | 59651-249 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | — | March 21, 2024 |
| 59651-250 | 59651-250 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | — | March 21, 2024 |
| 68001-574 | 68001-574 | BluePoint Laboratories | — | August 3, 2023 |
| 68001-575 | 68001-575 | BluePoint Laboratories | — | August 3, 2023 |
| 63629-3257 | 63629-3257 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | March 7, 2006 |
| 71335-2342 | 71335-2342 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | December 10, 2015 |
| 68462-275 | 68462-275 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | — | May 28, 2015 |
| 68462-276 | 68462-276 | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.,USA | — | May 28, 2015 |
| 23155-489 | 23155-489 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | — | May 26, 2017 |
| 23155-490 | 23155-490 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | — | May 26, 2017 |
| 10702-169 | 10702-169 | KVK-TECH, INC. | — | January 28, 2019 |
| 10702-170 | 10702-170 | KVK-TECH, INC. | — | January 28, 2019 |
| 69918-101 | 69918-101 | Nordic Pharma, Inc. | — | December 10, 2015 |
| 69918-201 | 69918-201 | Nordic Pharma, Inc. | — | December 10, 2015 |
| 51655-461 | 51655-461 | Northwind Health Company, LLC | — | October 29, 2020 |
| 70518-4612 | 70518-4612 | REMEDYREPACK INC. | — | April 23, 2026 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
| Enforcement | FDA | Recall records |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 13 sections on this page.