Desmopressin is used to treat nighttime bed-wetting, central diabetes insipidus, and increased thirst and urination caused by head surgery or head trauma.

Desmopressin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the pituitary gland and regulates how the body uses water.

Desmopressin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use desmopressin if you have severe kidney disease or hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body). You also should not take Nocdurna if you have severe thirst, uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, high levels of a hormone that causes fluid retention, or if you take a diuretic or use steroid medication.

Limit your intake of water and other fluids while you are using desmopressin. Drinking too much water may lead to a serious, life-threatening electrolyte imbalance.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low sodium: headache, confusion, muscle cramps, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, and feeling restless or unsteady.

Desmopressin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two to three times a day. When desmopressin is used to treat bed-wetting, it is usually taken once a day at bedtime. Try to take desmopressin at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take desmopressin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of desmopressin and gradually increase your dose. Follow these directions carefully.

Your doctor may perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using desmopressin.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Limit your intake of water and other fluids while you are using desmopressin. Drinking too much water may lead to a serious, life-threatening electrolyte imbalance.

Fluid restriction is especially important in children and older adults using desmopressin. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.

If you were switched from desmopressin nasal spray to desmopressin tablets, wait at least 12 hours after your last nasal dose before you take your first tablet.

Take the sublingual tablet 1 hour before bedtime. Place the tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Empty your bladder before going to bed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

Store Nocdurna tablets in their original foil blister pack. Remove a tablet only when you are ready to take it.

You should not use desmopressin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease; or

• hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body).

You also should not take Nocdurna sublingual desmopressin if you have:

• a disease or psychologic disorder that causes extreme or unusual thirst;

• syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH, high levels of a hormone that causes fluid retention);

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• heart failure; or

• if you take a diuretic ("water pill") or use a steroid medicine (oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable).

Desmopressin is not approved to treat bed-wetting in a child younger than 6 years old. Nocdurna is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Do not give desmopressin to a child for any reason without medical advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an electrolyte imbalance;

• unusual thirst;

• fluid retention;

• congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease;

• high blood pressure;

• urination problems;

• kidney disease; or

• cystic fibrosis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, confusion, drowsiness, rapid weight gain, or urination problems.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Your doctor may tell you to limit the amount of fluid you drink during your treatment with desmopressin. If you are taking desmopressin to treat bed-wetting, your doctor will probably tell you to avoid drinking for at least one hour before you take desmopressin and at least 8 hours after you take desmopressin. Follow your doctor's directions carefully to prevent serious side effects.

While treating nighttime bed-wetting, avoid drinking anything within 1 hour before your bedtime dose of desmopressin. Do not drink anything until the next morning, or at least 8 hours after you have taken the medicine.

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other sources of caffeine before bedtime.

Also avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Desmopressin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, hallucinations, muscle cramps, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling restless or unsteady;

• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

• swelling, weight gain;

• a seizure;

• weak or shallow breathing; or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of desmopressin may include:

• headache;

• dizziness;

• dry mouth;

• nausea; or

• mild stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect desmopressin, especially:

• an antidepressant;

• opioid pain medication;

• seizure medication;

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect desmopressin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to desmopressin.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.