Desmopressin

What is Desmopressin?

Desmopressin is a medicine commonly used to treat bedwetting. It can be used both short term (for example school trips or sleepovers) and long term.

Desmopressin works by reducing the amount of urine produced in the night by your kidneys.

Desmopressin is available in 2 forms, Desmotabs® which is a tablet, and DesmoMelt® which is placed under the tongue and dissolves into the saliva.

Desmopressin should be used if:

• Rapid control is needed (e.g. school trips) or when an alarm is not appropriate

• Second line after an alarm has been tried

• When fast or short term-improvement is priority.

Desmopressin may be used together with an anti-cholinergic medication if it is only partially successful. Anti-cholinergic medications are used to treat overactive bladders.

How often should Desmopressin be used and what dosage should be used?

Desmopressin should only be used in children aged 5 years and over.

The dosage is:

Desmotabs®

Initial dose: 200 micrograms for 7 to 10 days
If no improvement: 400 micrograms

DesmoMelts®

Initial dose: 120 micrograms for 7 to 10 days
If no improvement: 240 micrograms

After Desmopressin is first used, a review of your child’s progress and response should be made within 4 weeks. If there is no response, the medication will be stopped.

If there are dry nights after Desmopressin is used, continue using it for 3 months and then review your child’s progress. Every 3 months, withdraw treatment for 1 week to assess if dryness has been achieved.

Is there anything else I should know about using Desmopressin?

• Fluid intake must be restricted from 1 hour before taking the tablet, until 8 hours after taking the tablet.

This is to prevent the risk of fluid overload and hypernatremia (high levels of sodium in the blood).

• Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.

• Do not use during episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Always read the patient information leaflet provided with the medication.

References

Joint Formulary Committee (2021) BNF 81: March – September 2021. London: Pharmaceutical Press.

Contact numbers

Children’s Services Hub

Children’s Continence Team, University Hospital Hartlepool.

Telephone: 01429 522417

Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Monday to Friday)

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]