MDose · Veterinary drug reference
DESMOPRESSIN
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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications3
Central diabetes insipidus; diagnostic DI test
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Central diabetes insipidus; diagnostic DI test — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Central diabetes insipidus; diagnostic DI test — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
von Willebrand's disease (peri-operative prophylaxis, limited duration of usefulness)
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: von Willebrand's disease (peri-operative prophylaxis, limited duration of usefulness) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens5
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects106
Eye irritation (conjunctival route) — Occasional
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hypersensitivity reactions — Possible
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Fluid retention/hyponatremia — With overdose
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Decreased appetite11 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)10 reports
- Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP)10 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')10 reports
- Polydipsia10 reports
- Polyuria9 reports
- Vomiting8 reports
- Diarrhoea7 reports
- Death by euthanasia6 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS6 reports
- Urinary tract infection6 reports
- Weight loss6 reports
Cat
- Blindness1 reports
- Stroke1 reports
Monitoring2
Central DI: serum electrolytes, urine osmolality/volume
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
vWD use: bleeding times
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity; type IIB or platelet-type (pseudo) von Willebrand's disease (e.g., German Shorthair Pointers) — can worsen thrombocytopenia/platelet aggregation
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Susceptibility to thrombotic events
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Do not confuse the 0.1 mg/mL nasal-drop solution with the more concentrated 1.5 mg/mL (Stimate) product — a well-documented dosing-error risk.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
For vWD, tachyphylaxis develops with repeated dosing within 24 hours — not suited for sustained bleeding control, only single peri-operative use.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
A trial course can help distinguish central DI from other PU/PD causes — look for ≥50% increase in urine specific gravity as a supportive finding.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions1
Chlorpropamide, fludrocortisone, urea — May enhance antidiuretic effect
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Bioavailability — Destroyed in GI tract — parenteral/topical routes preferred; oral bioavailability very low
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Onset/Peak/Duration — Onset ~1h, peak 2–8h, duration up to 24h (dog)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Not well characterized; human IV terminal half-life 0.4–4h
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Not established but no fetal harm at very high doses in rat/rabbit studies. Human FDA category B. Likely safe during nursing.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 361–362; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 212–213 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Effect of desmopressin on buccal mucosal bleeding time in healthy dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- A phase II dose-escalation trial of perioperative desmopressin (1-desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin) in breast cancer patients.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Glucocorticoid-Induced Positive Feedback in Cushing Disease: Insights From a Spanish Multicenter Cohort.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Plasma Arginine Vasopressin and Serum Copeptin Concentrations at Rest and After Osmotic- and Non-Osmotic-Based Stimulation Tests in Dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- A biodegradable suction patch for sustainable transbuccal peptide delivery.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.