Desmopressin for bedwetting

This leaflet is about the use of demopressin for bedwetting (which is sometimes called nocturnal enuresis)

This leaflet has been written specifically for parents and carers about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

If your child has a seizure (fit) or a bad headache, becomes drowsy (sleepy) or is sick (vomits), take them to hospital as they may have a build up of fluid.

Name of drug

Desmopressin
Brand names: Desmomelt®, Desmotabs®, DDAVP®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

This medicine reduces the amount of urine (wee) that your child’s kidneys produce, so they are less likely to wet the bed.

What is desmopressin available as?

  • Tablets: 200 and 400 micrograms; these contain small amounts of lactose
  • Sublingual tablets (‘Melts’ that dissolve under the tongue): 120 and 240 micrograms; these contain gelatin from fish skin

When should I give desmopressin?

Desmopressin is given once each day, just before bedtime.

Give the medicine at the same time each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember. Your child should not have anything to drink from 1 hour before they will take desmopressin, and then for 8 hours after they have taken it.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of desmopressin (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give desmopressin?

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablet.

Sublingual tablets (‘Melts’): place the tablet under your child’s tongue, where it will melt. They should swallow the melted tablet. If the tablet breaks when you take it out of the pack, throw it away and start with another one.

When should the medicine start working?

Once your doctor has worked out the right dose your child should stop wetting the bed after a few days.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

If your child is sick after having a dose of desmopressin, do not give them another dose. If there is any chance that your child has been sick because they have a build up of fluid in the body (fluid retention), contact your doctor straight away. Other symptoms of fluid retention are swelling of the face, hands or feet, unusually bad or prolonged headache, drowsiness (feeling sleepy) and unexplained weight gain.

What if I forget to give it?

If you forget to give desmopressin, do not give the missed dose.

What if I give too much?

It can be dangerous to give too much desmopressin. If you think you may have given your child too much, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland) or take your child to hospital.
Take the medicine container or packet with you, even if it is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Side-effects that you must do something about

Desmopressin can sometimes cause fluid retention. Early symptoms are swelling of the face, hands or feet, bad or prolonged headaches, drowsiness (feeling sleepy), unexplained weight gain, feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting). If your child has any of these symptoms, contact your doctor straight away. Do not give desmopressin again until your doctor says you can.

If your child has a seizure (this is very unlikely) take them to hospital straight away or call for an ambulance, as this could be a symptom of serious fluid retention. Tell the doctor that your child has been taking desmopressin.

If your child gets a blotchy red rash or swelling to the lips, face or tongue, they may be allergic to desmopressin. Contact your doctor straight away or call for an ambulance.

Other side-effects you need to know about

  • Your child may have mild headaches and stomach pain. These should get better after a few days. If they don’t, contact your doctor.
  • Very rarely, a child may become more aggressive when taking desmopressin. If this happens, contact your doctor.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as desmopressin?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about desmopressin?

It is important that your child does not have excessive amounts to drink while taking desmopressin, as this may cause fluid retention. However, it is important that they have enough to drink to be healthy – if they do not drink enough, there is a risk of damage to the kidneys or the urine becomes very strong and may irritate the bladder and your child may wet the bed because of this. Your child should drink at least a litre (1000 millilitres) of fluid each day, spread over the course of the day. They should not have anything to drink for 1 hour before having desmopressin, and for 8 hours afterwards. They should not have drinks that contain caffeine (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cola drinks) or fizzy drinks in the afternoon/evening.

If your child has diarrhoea or is sick (vomits), stop giving desmopressin until they are better.

  • Your child should avoid swallowing large amounts of water while swimming, as this could lead to fluid retention.
  • After about 3 months your doctor will ask you to stop giving desmopressin for a week, to see if your child still needs it.

General information about medicines

  • Try to give the medicine at about the same time each day, to help you remember.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
  • If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor straight away.
  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about desmopressin and other ways to treat bedwetting.


You can also get useful information from:

  • NHS Direct (England)
    0845 46 47
    Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
  • NHS 24 (Scotland)
    08454 24 24 24
  • NHS Direct (Wales/Galw lechyd Cymru)
    0845 46 47
  • NI Direct (Northern Ireland)
    Website: www.nidirect.gov.uk
  • ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence)
    Helpline: 0845 370 8008
    Website: www.eric.org.uk

Publication Date

1/6/2010

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, June 2010 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: June 2012

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk

We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.