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Peptide

Desmopressin (DDAVP)

Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) is a synthetic analog of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin). FDA-approved since 1978, it is used for central diabetes insipidus, nocturnal enuresis, hemophilia A, and von Willebrand disease. It has enhanced antidiuretic potency with minimal pressor effect and longer duration than native vasopressin.

Research notice. This page is for education and research. Peptides may not be FDA-approved for human use and may only be legally available for research. Talk to a qualified clinician before considering any peptide.

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
3
Outcomes
14
Graded outcomes
6242

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 conditions, plus general outcomes

Central Diabetes Insipidus

Central Diabetes Insipidus: outcomes studied for Desmopressin (DDAVP)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Urine Output (Diabetes Insipidus)

First-line treatment for central diabetes insipidus. Dramatically reduces polyuria and normalizes fluid balance with intranasal or oral administration.

Improves (the measure goes down)Large effect33 studies

Studies that measured urine output (diabetes insipidus)

and 23 more in the citations list

Fluid Balance

Restores normal fluid homeostasis in central diabetes insipidus patients, reducing polydipsia and polyuria.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect23 studies

Studies that measured fluid balance

and 13 more in the citations list

Nocturnal Enuresis

Nocturnal Enuresis: outcomes studied for Desmopressin (DDAVP)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Wet Nights (Enuresis)

2.2 fewer wet nights per week vs placebo. Children 4.5x more likely to sleep without disruption. 35% achieved complete dryness in studies.

Improves (the measure goes down)Large effect33 studies

Studies that measured wet nights (enuresis)

and 23 more in the citations list

Sleep Quality (Enuresis)

Improved sleep quality and reduced sleep disruption in children and adults with nocturnal enuresis.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect33 studies

Studies that measured sleep quality (enuresis)

and 23 more in the citations list

Hemophilia

  • von Willebrand Factor Levels: improves
  • Factor VIII Levels: improves
Hemophilia: outcomes studied for Desmopressin (DDAVP)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
von Willebrand Factor Levels

Up to 4-fold increase in vWF levels. Effective for von Willebrand disease Type I and some Type II variants.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect33 studies

Studies that measured von willebrand factor levels

and 23 more in the citations list

Factor VIII Levels

2-4 fold increase in factor VIII coagulant activity, allowing minor surgery in mild hemophilia A without factor concentrates.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect22 studies

Studies that measured factor viii levels

and 12 more in the citations list

General

  • Safety/Tolerability: improves
  • Blood Glucose Control: improves
  • Anti-Cancer Activity: improves
General: outcomes studied for Desmopressin (DDAVP)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Safety/Tolerability

12 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect18 studies

Studies that measured safety/tolerability

and 8 more in the citations list

Blood Glucose Control

7 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect14 studies

Studies that measured blood glucose control

and 4 more in the citations list

Anti-Cancer Activity

4 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect13 studies

Studies that measured anti-cancer activity

and 3 more in the citations list

Reproductive Outcomes

3 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect12 studies

Studies that measured reproductive outcomes

and 2 more in the citations list

Kidney Function

4 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect12 studies

Studies that measured kidney function

and 2 more in the citations list

Cardiac Protection

4 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect11 studies
Pulmonary Function

2 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect10 studies
Neuroprotection

2 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect9 studies

Key findings

  • Urine Output (Diabetes Insipidus)Central Diabetes InsipidusImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Wet Nights (Enuresis)Nocturnal EnuresisImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Sleep Quality (Enuresis)Nocturnal EnuresisImproves (the measure goes up)

Studies cited

54 studies from PubMed

  1. A Review of Desmopressin Use in Bleeding Disorders: An Unsung Hero?Biomolecules, 2025 · PMID 40723839
  2. Lithium-induced Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus with Efficacy of Desmopressin in Combination with Thiazide Diuretics and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature.Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan), 2024 · PMID 37779064
  3. Desmopressin, Misoprostol, nor Carboprost Affect Platelet Aggregability Following Traumatic Brain Injury and Aspirin.The Journal of surgical research, 2024 · PMID 38359679
  4. Desmopressin use in major cardiac surgery is associated with renal impairment: a retrospective single-center analysis.BMC anesthesiology, 2024 · PMID 39375596
  5. Safety and efficacy of desmopressin (DDAVP) in preventing hematoma expansion in intracranial hemorrhage associated with antiplatelet drugs use: A systematic review and metaanalysis.Brain and behavior, 2024 · PMID 38778788
  6. Desmopressin (DDAVP) use in patients with von Willebrand disease: A single-centre retrospective review of test response and clinical outcomes.Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia, 2023 · PMID 37257847
  7. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may alter the half-life of desmopressin (DDAVP) in patients with central diabetes insipidus.Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM, 2022 · PMID 36240057
  8. Desmopressin Stimulates Nitric Oxide Production in Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells.Biomolecules, 2022 · PMID 35327581
  9. Desmopressin in canine mammary carcinoma: Comments on the importance of the administration route.Veterinary and comparative oncology, 2021 · PMID 32700352
  10. Safety of renal biopsy bleeding prophylaxis with desmopressin.The Journal of international medical research, 2021 · PMID 34590925
  11. Effect of Desmopressin on Platelet Dysfunction During Antiplatelet Therapy: A Systematic Review.Neurocritical care, 2021 · PMID 32748210
  12. Desmopressin and nocturnal voiding dysfunction: Clinical evidence and safety profile in the treatment of nocturia.Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 2018 · PMID 29376448
  13. Desmopressin in non-severe haemophilia A: Test-response and clinical outcomes in a single Canadian centre review.Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia, 2018 · PMID 30004154
  14. Diabetes insipidus during pregnancy.Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 2016 · PMID 27156766
  15. Diabetes insipidus and pregnancy.Annales d'endocrinologie, 2016 · PMID 27172867
  16. The novel desmopressin analogue [V4Q5]dDAVP inhibits angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastases in vasopressin type 2 receptor-expressing breast cancer models.International journal of oncology, 2015 · PMID 25846632
  17. Desmopressin to Prevent Rapid Sodium Correction in Severe Hyponatremia: A Systematic Review.The American journal of medicine, 2015 · PMID 26031887
  18. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of desmopressin for nocturia in adults.The Journal of urology, 2014 · PMID 24704009
  19. Desmopressin for reducing postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements following cardiac surgery in adults.Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, 2014 · PMID 24263581
  20. Severe signs of hyponatremia secondary to desmopressin treatment for enuresis: a systematic review.Journal of pediatric urology, 2013 · PMID 23619353
  21. Efficacy and safety of desmopressin for treatment of nocturia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blinded trials.International urology and nephrology, 2012 · PMID 21898039
  22. The use of desmopressin in acquired haemophilia A: a systematic review.Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue, 2011 · PMID 21839010
  23. Adenotonsillectomy in patients with desmopressin responsive mild bleeding disorders: a review of the literature.Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia, 2010 · PMID 20028423
  24. The comparative safety of oral versus intranasal desmopressin for the treatment of children with nocturnal enuresis.The Journal of urology, 2007 · PMID 17574054
  25. Desmopressin 30 years in clinical use: a safety review.Current drug safety, 2007 · PMID 18690973
  26. The use of desmopressin as a hemostatic agent: a concise review.American journal of hematology, 2007 · PMID 17492648
  27. Vasopressin and desmopressin in central diabetes insipidus: adverse effects and clinical considerationsPituitary, 2006 · PMID 16456490
  28. Desmopressin: a nightly option for nocturnal enuresisJ Pediatr, 2006 · PMID 17032153
  29. Desmopressin : safety considerations in patients with chronic renal disease.Drug safety, 2006 · PMID 16808548
  30. Desmopressin and other synthetic vasopressin analogues in cancer treatment.Bulletin du cancer, 2006 · PMID 16517412
  31. Use of desmopressin (DDAVP) during early pregnancy in factor VIII-deficient women.Blood, 2005 · PMID 15802549
  32. Desmopressin in central diabetes insipidusPresse Med, 2004 · PMID 15635948
  33. The risk of hyponatremia in older adults using desmopressin for nocturia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurourology and urodynamics, 2004 · PMID 15227644
  34. Desmopressin (DDAVP)-induced pseudotumor cerebri.The Journal of pediatrics, 2003 · PMID 14657834
  35. Desmopressin for nocturnal enuresis in childrenCochrane Database Syst Rev, 2002 · PMID 12455685
  36. Desmopressin in hemophilia A and von Willebrand's diseaseSemin Thromb Hemost, 2002 · PMID 11896051
  37. Desmopressin usage in elective cardiac surgery.The Journal of cardiovascular surgery, 2001 · PMID 11698939
  38. Desmopressin (DDAVP) in the treatment of bleeding disordersTreat Hemophilia, 2000 · PMID 11054553
  39. Desmopressin in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis in children: a multicenter studyScand J Urol Nephrol Suppl, 1999 · PMID 10854940
  40. Desmopressin (DDAVP) in the treatment of bleeding disorders: the first 20 yearsBlood, 1997 · PMID 3135377
  41. Intranasal desmopressin-associated hyponatremia: a case report and literature review.The Journal of family practice, 1997 · PMID 9040524
  42. The use of desmopressin (DDAVP) in hemostatic therapyCurr Opin Hematol, 1996 · PMID 8683812
  43. Desmopressin side effects.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1996 · PMID 8720618
  44. Side effects and complications of treatment with desmopressin for enuresis.Journal of the National Medical Association, 1994 · PMID 7807562
  45. Desmopressin acetate in cardiac surgery: a double-blind, randomized study.Southern medical journal, 1994 · PMID 8202769
  46. Efficacy, safety, and dosing of desmopressin for nocturnal enuresis in Europe.Clinical pediatrics, 1993 · PMID 8039334
  47. Desmopressin for diabetes insipidus, hemostatic disorders and enuresisSchweiz Rundsch Med Prax, 1990 · PMID 2220513
  48. Use of desmopressin in the management of aspirin-related and intractable haemorrhage after cardiopulmonary bypass.The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery, 1990 · PMID 2183746
  49. Clinical experience with desmopressin: efficacy and safety in central diabetes insipidus and other conditions.The Journal of pediatrics, 1989 · PMID 2647953
  50. Management of cranial diabetes insipidus with oral desmopressin (DDAVP).Clinical endocrinology, 1986 · PMID 3708875
  51. Desamino-D-arginine-vasopressin (DDAVP) in Alzheimer's disease.Neurobiology of aging, 1986 · PMID 3528891
  52. DesmopressinAnn Intern Med, 1985 · PMID 3893256
  53. Vasopressin analog DDAVP in the treatment of diabetes insipidusDrugs, 1978 · PMID 766613
  54. Desmopressin (DDAVP) in diabetes insipidus.Drug and therapeutics bulletin, 1976 · PMID 976094