Desmopressin acetate for hemophilia

Desmopressin acetate for hemophilia
Examples
How It Works
Why It Is Used
How Well It Works
Side Effects
What To Think About
Credits

Content provided by Healthwise

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
DDAVP	desmopressin acetate

How It Works

Desmopressin 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 individual, and the medicine's effectiveness is not known until it is tested individually.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of desmopressin include:

Fluid retention.
Mild increase in pulse or blood pressure.
Redness of the face and neck (flushing).
Headache.
Congestion.
Fatigue.

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. 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.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Credits

Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
Last Updated	August 20, 2007

Print This

Last updated:	August 20, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.