DDAVP (Desmopressin Acetate) for Hemophilia

Overview
DDAVP is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people with hemophilia A who have factor VIII (8) coagulant activity levels greater than 5 percent as well as for people with von Willebrand’s disease with factor VII levels higher than 5 percent. It is used to maintain hemostasis (prevent bleeding) during surgical procedures and postoperatively, or to reduce bleeding during spontaneous or traumatic injuries such as hemarthroses (bleeding into joints), intramuscular hematomas (bleeding within muscles), or mucosal bleeding (bleeding in mucous membranes). DDAVP is also known by its drug name, desmopressin acetate.

Desmopressin acetate is a vasopressin analog. It works by stimulating the release of stored factor VIII from blood vessel cells, which helps in clot formation and prevents excessive bleeding.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that DDAVP is administered intravenously (through a vein). The dose should be diluted appropriately before administration. It is important to take DDAVP exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of DDAVP include abdominal cramps, burning pain, erythema (skin redness), facial flushing, fluid retention, headache, hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions), hypertension (high blood pressure), hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood), hyponatremic seizures, hypotension (low blood pressure), nausea, swelling, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and thrombotic events (blood clots).

Rare but serious side effects may include severe hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly, and severe allergic reactions. Hyponatremia can occur with excessive fluid intake, illnesses that cause fluid or electrolyte imbalances, and the use of certain medications such as loop diuretics or glucocorticoids. Other rare but serious side effects include hypotension (low blood pressure), hypertension, fluid retention that worsens conditions like heart failure or uncontrolled hypertension, and increased risk of thrombosis (blood clots) in people with von Willebrand’s disease type IIB due to platelet aggregation (clumping together).

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Label: DDAVP — Desmopressin Acetate Injection — DailyMed

Desmopressin — Drugs.com