Desmopressin, often prescribed for bed-wetting, carries warnings regarding its interactions with steroids, narcotics, and Epinephrine. Read on to see how this medication will impact your dental treatment and prescribing:
Generic Name: Desmopressin Acetate
Brand Name(s): DDAVP, Nocdurna
Pronunciation: DEZ mo press in
About this drug:
Desmopressin is a man-made form of vasopressin used to treat nocturnal polyuria in adults.
The nasal spray is used to treat central cranial diabetes insipidus, increased thirst and urination caused by head surgery or head trauma, hemophilia A, or von Willebrand's disease Type I.
Dentistry-related tidbits:
This medication causes xerostomia. Consider prescribing supplemental fluoride if the patient has a high rate of decay and increase the frequency of dental exams.
This medication has an increased risk for hyponatremia (low levels of salt in the blood). This is a serious side effect that may be life threatening, causing seizures, coma, trouble breathing or death.
Drinking too much water or liquids with Desmopressin may lead to serious side effects or death.
The nasal spray may cause high blood pressure. Check the patient's blood pressure if they are using the nasal spray version of Desmopressin.
Desmopressin may cause coughing, which may interrupt a dental procedure.
Monitor blood pressure when administering any local anesthetic with Epinephrine to a patient taking Desmopressin, as the combination may increase the risk of hypertension.
Exercise caution when prescribing narcotic pain medications to a patient taking Desmopressin to avoid adverse side effects such as hyponatremia, SIADH (condition in which the body makes too much antidiuretic hormone), and other adverse side effects.
Speak with the patient's physician before prescribing any steroid medications, as this combination may increase the risk of hypertension, water retention, and hyponatremia. If steroids are given, then Desmopressin may need to be stopped and restarted. Make sure to check for potential interactions before prescribing using a tool like Rx Check.
Fun facts:
Desmopressin mimics the endogenous antidiuretic hormone by acting on the V2 receptors on the nephron to reabsorb water and decrease urine production.
Desmopressin is contraindicated if the patient has conditions such as heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, or moderate to severe renal impairment because of increased risk of hyponatremia and fluid retention.
This medication is the only FDA approved drug for nocturia in adults.
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