Desmopressin Acetate
Brand names: Desmopressin Acetate, Nocdurna, Ddavp
At a glance
- Medicare prescriptions, 2024
- 114,662
- Medicare drug cost
- $8.0M
- Average cost per prescription
- $69.66
- Clinicians who prescribed it
- 5,681
Where it is prescribed
List the prescribers in any state, county, city or ZIP code →
What it is used for
DDAVP Injection is a vasopressin analog used for: Central Diabetes Insipidus - as antidiuretic replacement therapy in the management of central (cranial) diabetes insipidus and for the management of the temporary polyuria and polydipsia following head trauma or surgery in the pituitary region. Hemophilia A- for patients with factor VIII coagulant activity levels greater than 5% to maintain hemostasis during surgical procedures and postoperatively or reduce bleeding with episodes of spontaneous or traumatic injuries such as hemarthroses, intramuscular hematomas, or mucosal bleeding. von Willebrand's disease (Type I) - for patients with mild to moderate disease with factor VIII levels greater than 5% to maintain hemostasis during surgical procedures or traumatic injuries such as hemarthroses, intramuscular hematomas, or mucosal bleeding. Limitations of Use DDAVP is ineffective and not indicated for the treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. von Willebrand's disease (severe Type I) - not indicated for the treatment of patients with severe Type I von Willebrand's disease and when there is evidence of an abnormal molecular form of factor VIII antigen.
From the FDA-approved prescribing information (label dated September 2022). Full labels on DailyMed (opens in a new tab)
Boxed warning
WARNING: HYPONATREMIA DDAVP can cause hyponatremia. Severe hyponatremia can be life-threatening, leading to seizures, coma, respiratory arrest, or death. DDAVP is contraindicated in patients at increased risk of severe hyponatremia, such as patients with excessive fluid intake, illnesses that can cause fluid or electrolyte imbalances, and in those using loop diuretics or systemic or inhaled glucocorticoids. Ensure the serum sodium concentration is normal before starting or resuming DDAVP. Measure serum sodium within 7 days and approximately 1 month after initiating therapy, and periodically during treatment. More frequently monitor serum sodium in patients 65 years of age and older and in patients at increased risk of hyponatremia. If hyponatremia occurs, DDAVP may need to be temporarily or permanently discontinued. WARNING: HYPONATREMIA See full prescribing information for complete…
The FDA’s strongest warning on a label. It doesn’t mean the drug is unsafe for most people; talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping or changing any medicine.
Who prescribes it
- Urology 23.6%
- Family Medicine 16.1%
- Nurse Practitioners 13.9%
- Internal Medicine 12.8%
- Endocrinology & Diabetes 11.8%
- Physician Assistants 6.7%
- Psychiatry 4.6%
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners 1.9%
- Urogynecology 1.5%
- Geriatric Medicine 1.4%
- Neurology 0.9%
- Nephrology (Kidney) 0.7%
All prescribers, by place, name or specialty →
Share of Medicare prescriptions written by each specialty. Select one to list its prescribers.
Trend, 2019–2024
Medicare prescriptions fell 5% from 2019 to 2024.
Biggest change by state since 2019
- Michigan +7%
- New Jersey +1%
- Texas +0%
- Florida +0%
- Ohio +0%
- Pennsylvania (smallest change) −16%
- California (smallest change) −14%
From CMS’s yearly state and national Part D summaries, which count every prescriber, including those CMS leaves out of its per-clinician data (fewer than 11 prescriptions). That is why these totals are higher than the count at the top of this page. Prescriptions include refills.
What it looks like
Pills from 1 maker on file. The same medicine can look different depending on who made it, so check the imprint (the letters and numbers on the pill) with your pharmacist if a refill looks different.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
| Strength | Looks like | Imprint |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mg | white oval tablet, 10 mm, scored to split in 2 | 0 1 |
| 0.2 mg | white round tablet, 10 mm, scored to split in 2 | 0 2 |
Source: DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), from each maker’s FDA drug listing. A few makers are shown, not every one. Never take a pill you can’t identify; ask a pharmacist.
Industry payments about this drug
No industry payments to clinicians named this drug in 2025.
Recalls and shortages
Not on the FDA drug shortage list.
1 recall since 2020
- Nov 2022 · Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc · Class II
Subpotent Drug
Recalls usually affect specific lots from one maker, not every version of a drug. Class I is the most serious; most drug recalls are Class II. FDA recalls (opens in a new tab)
Sources: CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers by Provider and Drug (2024; prescriptions include refills, and CMS hides counts under 11 per prescriber); U.S. Food and Drug Administration, openFDA (drug labels, NDC directory, enforcement reports, drug shortages); CMS Open Payments 2025; ClinicalTrials.gov. General information only, not medical advice; not yet reviewed by our medical reviewer.