Vasopressin (Injection)

Introduction:

Vasopressin (vay-soe-PRES-in)

Keeps your body from losing too much water. Used after abdominal surgery or before abdominal x-rays. Also treats Diabetes Insipidus ("water diabetes"). This medicine is a hormone.

Brand Name(s):

Pitressin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into one of your muscles.
• You may be told to drink a certain amount of liquid each day while you are using this medicine. Follow these instructions carefully.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using carbamazepine (Tegretol®), fludrocortisone (Florinef®), demeclocycline (Declomycin®), lithium (Eskalith®), medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, Norpramin®, Vivactil®), chlorpropamide (Diabinese®), clofibrate (Abitrate®), mecamylamine, trimethaphan, urea (Ureaphil®), or heparin.
• Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have heart disease, blood vessel disease, seizures, migraine headaches, asthma, or kidney disease.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Chest, neck, or jaw pain or tightness.
• Unusual tiredness, sleepiness, and headache.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild stomach pain, nausea, or gas.
• Pale skin.
• Sweating more than usual.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: