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HF 7729

Desmopressin (DDAVP) Challenge

Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a medicine given to people with bleeding disorders to prevent or stop bleeding. This medicine does not work for everyone, so you will need a DDAVP challenge to make sure the medicine will help to clot your blood.

Before Your Visit

  • For 10 days before your visit: Do not take aspirin or any medicine that contains aspirin.

  • For 3 days before your visit: Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDS).These include:

    • Ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®)

    • Naproxen (Aleve®)

  • Read the medicine labels for all other medicines. Medicine used to treat cold and flu, headaches or other pain may contain these medicines.

During Your Visit

  1. You will get a blood test before you get DDAVP.

  2. You will receive DDAVP through a vein or as a nose spray called Stimate®.

  3. You will have another blood test 1-2hours after you received the medicine.

  4. You may need one more blood test4-6 hours later. These blood tests will show if DDAVP works for you.

After Your Visit

DDAVP makes the body hold on to water.

  • Limit plain water and other fluids for 24 hours after DDAVP.

  • Drink fluids that have salt in them such as sports drinks, chicken or beef broth and milk.

Liquid Intake Table

8222 Table

Common Side Effects

  • Temporary facial redness

  • Mild headache

  • Mild swelling of arms or legs

Less Common Side Effects

  • Stuffy nose

  • Sore throat

  • Mild belly cramping

  • Low blood pressure

  • Fast heart rate

  • Seizures due to low blood sodium

When to Call

  • If you do not urinate (pee) within 12 hours of taking DDAVP

  • Dizziness

  • Fainting

  • Confusion

  • Changes in eyesight

  • Headache not relieved with acetaminophen (Tylenol®)

  • Fever, chills

  • Rash

  • Seizure

  • Signs of allergic reaction like wheezing or trouble breathing, call 911 right away.

Results

Your healthcare provider will call you with your results within 1 week. If your blood tests show that DDAVP does not work for you, we will tell you about other medicines.

Who to Call

UW Health Comprehensive Program for Bleeding Disorders

(608) 890-9493

After hours, contact the pediatric or adult hematologist on call at (608) 262-0486 or 1-800-323-8942.