What is an antidiuretic hormone?

Antidiuretics are substances in the body that aid the patients whose body’s need extra help in maintaining fluid balance by reducing or opposing urination and or diuresis by increasing re-absorption of water from the kidney. That is, they work to achive the opposite effect of diuretics. They are used in management of diabetes insipidus, to prevent bedwetting and to lower urine output, and maybe given to you for other reasons. They are available as tablets, capsules, injections and nasal sprays manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies. Antidiuretics are currently offered as brand name medications and generics. (Click here to learn what generics are)

How do antidiuretics work?

The antidiuretic medication available in the market are manmade analogues of the natural pituitary hormone produced by the body to mimic its effects and hence affecting water conservation in the kidneys, leading to a decrease in the amount of water produced and hence the bladder does not full quickly.

Available antidiuretic drugs

This group of medications are available as tablets, capsules, injections for parental administration and nasal sprays. Some of the most common drugs cointaining desmopressin are the generics APO-desmopressin and other brand medications including Ddavp or Minirin. These are available in tablets or sprays from us. 

Types of antidiuretic medications

The various antidiuretic classes include hormones such as vasopressin (ADH), oxytocin, argipressin, lypressin, desmopressin, ornipressin, and terlipressin. Depending on the treatment goals, the doctor can determine which class and route of administration will best suit the treatment plan.

What do they treat?

They are used predominantly in reducing the volume of urine in the body specifically in patients with diabetes insipidus, and can be used for other reasons.

Diabetes insipidus

This is a condition whereby the body cannot regulate/manage how it handles fluids, this process is normally regulated by certain hormones in the body produced by the pituitary gland hence an abnormality in these hormones leads to the body been unable to regulate fluids. For this reason patients become extremely thirsty, bed-wetting and or frequent urination. Treatment is normally dependent of the form of the disorder.

Can I buy antidiuretics over the counter?

All antidiuretic medications require a prescription from the doctor.

Safety information

Side effects

Some of the side effects involved with the use of antidiuretics may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Mild abdominal cramps
• Nasal congestion
• Rhinitis
• Flushing
• Gas or stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Excessive sweating
• Hives
• Labored breathing caused by narrowing of the airway
• Increased tiredness as a result of low blood sodium levels

Contraindications

The use of any antidiuretic is contraindicated in any patient who is hypersensitive to any of the active ingredients or any ingredients used in the formulation. More contraindications include:

• When the patient has diarrhea or is vomiting.
• In patients with hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Do not use antidiuretics in patients that are constantly thirsty, have any eating disorders, bleeding disorders and low sodium levels.

Warnings and precautions

Always remember to inform your doctor of any allergies or medical condition you may have, medications you are currently taking. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant and any other important health conditions you might have.

Before taking antidiuretics make sure you do not suffer from any of the following:

• Hyponatremia (low blood sodium level)
• Heart problems
• Liver disease
• Kidney problems
• Bleeding problems
• Fever
• Cystic fibrosis

NOTE: Make sure to limit the number of drinks that you/your child drinks after super especially an hour before bedtime in order to decrease the possibility of low sodium ions in the body and water intoxication and this could led to convulsion