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Desmopressin

In Adults with Nocturia

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Abstract

▴ Desmopressin, a synthetic antidiuretic hormone analogue, is the only drug currently approved for the treatment of nocturia associated with nocturnal polyuria or multiple sclerosis (MS). Compared with vasopressin, desmopressin has a longer lasting and more potent antidiuretic effect and is devoid of vasopressor and uterotonic effects.

▴ In two large, randomised, double-blind phase III trials in adults with nocturia associated with nocturnal polyuria, 3 weeks of oral desmopressin therapy was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the mean number of nocturnal voids and in normalising the rate of nocturnal urine production.

▴ Beneficial effects of desmopressin on nocturia were maintained and increased in patients completing 10 or 12 months of further treatment in a nonblind extension of short-term trials.

▴ In randomised, double-blind trials in MS patients with nocturia, nasal desmopressin reduced the mean number of nocturnal voiding episodes by 31–54%.

▴ In both patient populations, desmopressin increased the initial sleep period or mean maximum period of uninterrupted sleep by ≈2 hours, an outcome significantly greater than that achieved with placebo.

▴ In trials of ≤6 weeks duration in adults with nocturia, desmopressin was generally well tolerated. Most desmopressin-related adverse events were transient and mild or moderate in severity. Clinically significant hyponatraemia was reported in ≈5% and required withdrawal from studies in š3% of patients.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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  1. Adis International Limited, Auckland, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 1311, New Zealand

    Risto S. Cvetković & Greg L. Plosker

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  1. Risto S. Cvetković
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Correspondence to Risto S. Cvetković.

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Cvetković, R.S., Plosker, G.L. Desmopressin. Drugs 65, 99–107 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200565010-00008

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