Examples
|
| desmopressin | DDAVP, Minirin, Stimate |
How It Works
Desmopressin is a medicine that can be used by people who
have mild to moderate
hemophilia to help increase clotting factors when they
have certain medical or dental procedures done. Medical researchers believe
that this drug acts by releasing unused
clotting factor VIII from cells that line blood
vessels.
Why It Is Used
Desmopressin is used before dental
and minor surgical procedures for people who have mild to moderate hemophilia
A. It is also used to treat mild bleeding episodes. Desmopressin acetate is not
usually used in certain situations, such as for:
- Severe cases of
hemophilia.
- Children younger than 1 year.
- Serious
injuries.
How Well It Works
In mild to moderate cases of
hemophilia, desmopressin acetate can sometimes effectively control bleeding,
because it increases the percentage of clotting factor VIII in the blood. But
its effectiveness varies with each person, and the medicine's effectiveness
is not known until it is tested individually.1
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Hives.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Side effects of desmopressin are not common but may include:
- Stomach pain or nausea.
- Sneezing, runny nose, or stuffy nose.
- Cough.
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Desmopressin is used to treat
hemophilia A. It is usually injected. But it can also be used as a
nasal spray. Desmopressin does not carry infectious diseases, and it
is safe for treatment of adults. But desmopressin may become ineffective if it
is used too often.
Desmopressin is inexpensive compared to
clotting factor replacement.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Chitlur M, Kulkarni R (2011). Hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. In ET Bope, et al., eds., Conn's Current Therapy 2011, pp. 428–434. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology |
|---|
| Last Revised | August 3, 2011 |
|---|
Chitlur M, Kulkarni R (2011). Hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. In ET Bope, et al., eds., Conn's Current Therapy 2011, pp. 428–434. Philadelphia: Saunders.
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