✕
Free ₹200 worth HealthCash on app
Use HealthCash to order medicines, health products & much more
Vasopressin
Confused about any medicine? Just ask Practo AIFREE
50000+ health queries resolved in last month
Chat with Practo AI on Whatsapp
Not finding what you need? Ask Practo AI
FREE
Chat with Practo AI on Whatsapp
Description
Vasopressin is an anti-diuretic hormone. It is used in the treatment of diabetes insipidus (severe increase in urination), hypotension (low blood pressure), post-operative abdominal distension (swelling after abdominal surgery), and also given before performing an abdominal x-ray.
Vasopressin works by reducing your urine production. It helps to treat low blood pressure by its action on your blood vessels.
Vasopressin may result in certain side effects such as dizziness, pounding sensation (throbbing) in your head or ears, pale skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or if they become severe.
Vasopressin is given by your doctor in a clinic or a hospital setting. The dose and duration of the treatment will depend on your condition. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
Vasopressin should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have any heart, kidney problems, or a history of asthma (constriction of your airways), migraine (headache usually on one side of the head), seizures (fits) before receiving this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Vasopressin
Irregular heartbeat
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Pounding in your head or ears
Dizziness
Pale skin
Stomach pain
Flatulence (Passing of gas)
Nausea and Vomiting
Sweating
Pain at the injection site
Uses of Vasopressin
What is it prescribed for?
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition in which your body produces a large amount of urine. It is caused by reduced production of a hormone called anti-diuretic hormone and is not related to diabetes. Symptoms may include increased thirst and urination. Vasopressin is used in the treatment of diabetes insipidus.
Hypotension associated with shock
Hypotension is a condition with low blood pressure. Vasopressin is used to increase blood pressure in adults with sepsis (a medical condition resulting from a strong immune response to an infection) who are unresponsive to other medicines.
Abdominal Radiological Procedure
Vasopressin is used to expel gas before performing an abdominal X-ray.
Abdominal Distension
Abdominal distension refers to the distension (swelling) of your abdomen. The distension may be caused by either air (gas) or fluid accumulation, which is often referred to as bloating. Vasopressin is used to prevent or treat postoperative abdominal distension (abdominal distension that occurs after surgery).
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
Vasopressin shows its action within 1 to 2 minutes of giving the dose.Duration of effect
The effect of Vasopressin lasts for about 2-8 hours in your body after taking the injection.Safe with alcohol?
Alcohol consumption may reduce the effectiveness of Vasopressin and should be avoided during treatment with this medicine.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Vasopressin.Usage in pregnancy?
Vasopressin is not recommended during pregnancy unless needed. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known if Vasopressin passes into breastmilk and hence is not recommended during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Allergy
Avoid Vasopressin if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Chronic nephritis
Vasopressin is not recommended if you have chronic nephritis (swelling of your kidneys) with nitrogen retention (accumulation of nitrogen) due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Vasopressin is not recommended during pregnancy unless needed. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Vasopressin passes into breastmilk and hence is not recommended during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
General warnings
Use with caution
Vasopressin should be used with caution if you have a history of asthma, migraine, seizures (fits), high blood pressure due to the increased risk of severe side effects and subsequent worsening of your condition.
Fluid overload
Vasopressin may increase your risk of water intoxication (overhydration) and hyponatraemia (low blood sodium levels). To avoid this, your fluid intake will be adjusted and you will be monitored for symptoms of overhydration such as fatigue, drowsiness, headaches.
Other Medicines
Vasopressin may interact with other medicines and may cause undesired side effects. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before receiving this medicine.
Driving or Operating machines
Vasopressin may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machines if you experience any symptoms that may affect your mental alertness.
Use in children
Vasopressin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy data.
Missed Dose
Since Vasopressin is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Vasopressin is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Alcohol consumption may reduce the effectiveness of Vasopressin and should be avoided during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Imipramine
Lithium
Amitriptyline
Heparin
Clofibrate
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Vasopressin should be used with caution if you have any pre-existing history of heart problems due to the increased risk of chest pain, heart attack. Your electrocardiograms (ECGs) will be periodically monitored during treatment.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Vasopressin is given in the clinic/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
If you experience any reactions at the site of injection (redness/pain/swelling) that become bothersome, inform your doctor immediately.
Alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of Vasopressin and should be avoided.
Do not drive or operate machines after receiving Vasopressin if you experience any symptoms that may affect your mental alertness.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Vasopressin is an anti-diuretic hormone. It acts on your kidneys and reduces urine production. It also helps to raise your blood pressure by narrowing the blood vessels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antidiuretic hormones
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Argipressin 20 IU/ml Solution for Injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 September 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 26 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.