Vasopressin
About Vasopressin
Vasopressin belongs to the class of antidiuretic hormones. It is used to treat diabetes insipidus and to control bleeding from esophagal varices. It can also be used to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines. Diabetes insipidus is a rare form of diabetes, causing the production of large quantities of urine.
Vasopressin contains Vasopressin, a human-made form of Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). When your body cannot produce enough Vasopressin, Vasopressin is used to replace it. It also helps treat diabetes insipidus (a rare form of diabetes causing the production of large quantities of urine) by increasing the amount of water reabsorption from the kidneys. Vasopressin helps to control bleeding from esophagal varices by increasing plasma levels of factor VIII activity in patients with bleeding disorders. Besides this, Vasopressin causes vasoconstriction by binding to V1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle. Thus, Vasopressin helps to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
Vasopressin will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. The common side effects of Vasopressin include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fast or irregular heart rate, hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), ischemia (restriction in blood supply), and redness/pain/swelling at the injection site. These side effects may not occur in everyone using this medication and gradually resolve over time. If the side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek a doctor's advice.
Before starting Vasopressin, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of kidney impairment, cerebral vascular disorder, peripheral arterial disease, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, seizures, asthma, fluid retention, or migraine. While using Vasopressin, avoid drinking large amounts of fluid, including alcohol, since it could lead to the build-up of water in the body. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Vasopressin can cause water intoxication characterised by drowsiness, being uninterested in anything (listless) and headaches. If you notice any of these signs, seek immediate medical help. If it is not corrected, water intoxication can lead to fits or even coma.
Uses of Vasopressin
Medicinal Benefits
Vasopressin contains Vasopressin, an antidiuretic (that controls fluid balance) hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus of the pituitary gland. When your body cannot produce enough Vasopressin, Vasopressin is used to replace it. It helps treat diabetes insipidus. (a rare form of diabetes causing the production of large quantities of urine). Vasopressin increases the amount of water absorbed back into your kidneys. Thus, it helps treat diabetes insipidus. Vasopressin increases plasma levels of factor VIII activity in patients with bleeding disorders. Thus, it helps to control bleeding from esophageal varices. Besides this, Vasopressin causes vasoconstriction by binding to V1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle. Thus, Vasopressin helps to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Vasopressin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels)
- Ischemia (restriction in blood supply)
- Redness/pain/swelling at the injection site
Drug Warnings
It is recommended not to use if you are allergic to vasopressin or any of the other ingredients present in Vasopressin or suffer from any diseases or conditions associated with your blood vessels, especially the blood vessels of your heart, suffer from a certain type of kidney disease called chronic nephritis with nitrogen retention (your doctor will advise you) or if you are intended to receive halogenated anaesthetic agents during surgical procedures. Caution and regular monitoring are essential while using Vasopressin if you have asthma, allergic conditions, migraine, epilepsy (fits), high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, obstruction of the blood vessels of the heart, or undergone removal of the pituitary gland. So, before taking the Vasopressin, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and all medications you are using. It may cause maternal adverse reactions like tonic uterine contractions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Vasopressin may interact with antiarrhythmic medication (e.g. amiodarone, dronedarone), anticancer medications (e.g. cabozantinib), antiretroviral medication (e.g. efavirenz), and antibiotic medications (e.g. gatifloxacin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids and alcohol while being treated with Vasopressin.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Vasopressin interacts with disease conditions, including nephritis (an inflammation of the nephrons, which are part of the kidneys), renal impairment, vascular disease, and fluid overload (a condition where you have too much fluid volume in your body), and hyponatremia (A condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is too low).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while on treatment with Vasopressin.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Vasopressin in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or expecting pregnancy; your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medicine, considering the importance of the treatment to the mother.
Driving
cautionVasopressin usually does not interfere with your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience unmanageable side effects with Vasopressin.
Liver
cautionLimited information was available about using Vasopressin in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Vasopressin if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionVasopressin is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney impairment. Please let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before receiving Vasopressin.
Children
unsafeVasopressin is not recommended in children below 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Reduce the amount of salt and protein in your diet, which will help your kidneys to produce less urine.
- Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other caffeine sources before bedtime since it can lead to increased urination.
- Avoid activities that cause dehydration, such as excessive physical exercise or spending time in the heat.
- Optimal water intake is recommended to prevent dehydration due to excessive urination.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of electrolytes is essential to rule out chances of fluid imbalance.
- If you are more frequently urinating than usual, it is advised to consult your endocrinologist to check for any hormonal abnormalities.
- Your doctor may advise kidney functioning tests to monitor for renal impairment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes insipidus: It is a condition in which the body fails to control fluid balance, resulting in excessive urination.
Hypotension: Low blood pressure is when blood pressure drops below the normal range. It can cause dizziness, weakness, fainting, and risk of injury from falls. Also, severely low blood pressure can deprive your body of enough oxygen to carry out its functions, damaging your heart and brain. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure in arteries when the heart rests between heartbeats. Ideal blood pressure should be 120/80 mmHg. Hypotension exists when the systolic pressure is less than 90 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure is less than 60 mmHg.
FAQs
Vasopressin is used to treat Low blood pressure (in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines), Diabetes insipidus and to Control bleeding from esophageal varices.
Vasopressin contains Vasopressin, a human-made form of Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). When your body cannot produce enough Vasopressin, Vasopressin is used to replace it. It helps treat diabetes insipidus. (a rare form of diabetes causing the production of large quantities of urine). Vasopressin increases the amount of water absorbed back into your kidneys. Thus, it helps treat diabetes insipidus.
Vasopressin increases plasma levels of factor VIII activity in patients with bleeding disorders.
Vasopressin causes vasoconstriction by binding to V1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle. Thus, Vasopressin helps to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
Optimal intake of fluids is recommended to prevent dehydration. However, avoid excess intake of water and other liquids like coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks during the treatment. Excessive fluid intake while using Vasopressin may lead to a build-up of water, which dilutes the salt in the body, leading to serious problems.
Generally, Vasopressin is administered through intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous routes. However, a healthcare professional will administer it; do not self-administer Vasopressin.
Vasopressin is safe when used only under the doctor’s supervision. However, it may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fast or irregular heart rate, hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), ischemia (restriction in blood supply), and redness/pain/swelling at the injection site.
Vasopressin should not be taken by people who are allergic to any of its ingredients or have hypersensitivity to 8-L-arginine vasopressin or chlorobutanol.
Vasopressin should be taken during pregnancy only if the doctor has prescribed it. The doctor will prescribe this medication only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Therefore, please consult your doctor before taking Vasopressin if you are pregnant.
Vasopressin is effective in the treatment of low blood pressure (in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines), diabetes insipidus, and to control bleeding from oesophageal varices. However, its effectiveness may vary from person to person.
The common side effects of Vasopressin include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fast or irregular heart rate, hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), ischemia (restriction in blood supply), and redness/pain/swelling at the injection site. These side effects may not occur in everyone using this medication. However, if the side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek a doctor's advice.
