Desmopressin and Bed Wetting

Every year, about 15 percent of bed wetters become dry without treatment. If a medical illness cause has been ruled out, it should be made clear that there is no need to treat a child with medication. If medical treatment is prescribed, there are usually three types of medication prescribed.

Desmopressin is the most common with the least risk.

In the 1980’s research was done in Europe to prove that a kind of hormone deficiency was to blame for bed wetting . Since a natural hormone called vasopressin controls how quickly fluids reach the bladder during sleep, they wanted to research whether bed wetters had less of this hormone than other kids. The results were inconclusive as some kids did and some kids did not.

Desmopressin Acetate or DDAVP with a brand name Minirin, is sometimes used to treat diabetes insipidus, a relatively rare disorder characterized by excessive loss of water in the urine.

It is a synthetic hormone with a similar action to the hormone vasopressin, which is an antidiuretic hormone. Vasopressin helps the kidneys reabsorb water from urine, thus maintaining proper fluid balance. Desmopressin, by simulating the action of vasopressin, helps to reduce the volume of urine produced at night when it is prescribed for bed wetting.

Desmopressin  is used for bedwetting in patients age 6 and over  with a general dosage of 0.2 mg at bedtime. This may be increased to 0.6 mg but the lowest effective dose will be determined by the doctor based on the patient’s response to the drug.

Desmopressin tablets used for bed wetting may be taken alone or in conjunction with other kinds of non-medical therapy such as behavioral conditioning. This medication may reduce the number of wet nights and even stop bedwetting completely for a few children. Unfortunately it is very common for bed wetting to return as soon as the medication is stopped. Older children with normal bladder capacity are more likely to be helped than younger children that have smaller bladders.

Special Concerns Regarding Demopressin

Adverse reactions may be more likely and more severe in children under
the age of 18. Periodic laboratory tests may be needed to check a patients fluid status. Overdose symptoms include; drowsiness, listlessness, headache, confusion, inability to urinate, unexpected weight gain or fluid retention.