Warnings for DDAVP Nasal Spray
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for DDAVP Nasal Spray
Hyponatremia
Excessive fluid intake when urine output is limited by the antidiuretic effect of desmopressin may lead to water intoxication with hyponatremia. Cases of hyponatremia have been reported from postmarketing experience in patients treated with desmopressin acetate. Unless properly diagnosed and treated, hyponatremia can be fatal.
All patients receiving DDAVP Nasal Spray should be observed for the following signs or symptoms associated with hyponatremia: headache, nausea/vomiting, decreased serum sodium, weight gain, restlessness, fatigue, lethargy, disorientation, depressed reflexes, loss appetite, irritability, muscle weakness, muscle spasms or cramps and abnormal mental status such as hallucinations, decreased consciousness, and confusion. Severe symptoms due to an extreme decrease in serum sodium and plasma osmolality may include one or a combination of the following: seizure, coma, and/or respiratory arrest.
In order to decrease the risk of water intoxication with hyponatremia, fluid restriction is recommended. Careful fluid intake restriction is particularly important in pediatric and geriatric patients because these patients are at greater risk of developing hyponatremia [see Use In Specific Populations]. More frequent monitoring of serum sodium levels is recommended in the following patients: those with conditions associated with fluid and electrolyte imbalance, such as cystic fibrosis, heart failure, renal disorders, habitual or psychogenic polydipsia or those taking concomitant drugs that may cause hyponatremia [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
DDAVP Nasal Spray is not an indicated formulation for the treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis due to a higher risk of hyponatremia and hyponatremic convulsions with the use of the nasal spray formulation compared to desmopressin tablets seen in postmarketing reports [see INDICATIONS].
Altered Absorption In Patients With Nasal Mucosa Abnormalities
Chronic administration of DDAVP Nasal Spray may result in changes to nasal mucosa. Nasal mucosa abnormalities (such as scarring and edema) due to chronic administration, or due to other causes (nasal blockage, nasal mucosal atrophy, severe atrophic rhinitis, recent nasal surgery such as transsphenoidal hypophysectomy) may cause erratic, unreliable absorption. Avoid use of DDAVP Nasal Spray in such patients [see INDICATIONS] and consider use of other formulations of desmopressin acetate given by other routes of administration.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use)
Administration
- Inform caregivers for pediatric patients that administration should be supervised to ensure the patient receives the prescribed dose.
- Inform patients that the pump must be primed prior to first use and again if not used for greater than one week. Inform patients that the DDAVP Nasal Spray bottle delivers 50 sprays of 10 mcg each following the initial 4 priming pumps.
- Inform patients to discard any solution remaining after 50 sprays since the amount delivered thereafter may be substantially less than 10 mcg of drug.
Monitoring
- Educate patients about the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if such symptoms occur.
- Discuss downward adjustment of fluid intake and monitoring of urine output with patients.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Studies with desmopressin acetate have not been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, mutagenic potential, or effects on fertility.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk summary
Prolonged experience with desmopressin in pregnant women over several decades, based on the available published data and case reports, did not identify a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In addition, in vitro studies with human placenta demonstrate poor placental transfer of desmopressin. No adverse developmental outcomes were observed in animal reproduction studies with administration of desmopressin during organogenesis to pregnant rats and rabbits at doses approximately <1 and 38 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area (mg/m2) (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
Desmopressin acetate at up to 50 ng/kg/day was given by subcutaneous injection to pregnant rats, from gestation day 1 to 20 during the period of early embryonic development and organogenesis without teratogenic effects. Desmopressin acetate at up to 10 mcg/kg/day was given to pregnant rabbits by subcutaneous injection from gestation day 6 to 18 during fetal organogenesis without teratogenic effects. These doses of desmopressin acetate represent approximately <1 times (rat) and 38 times (rabbit) the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area (mg/m2).
Lactation
Risk Summary
Breastfeeding is not expected to result in clinically relevant exposure of the infant to desmopressin following maternal intranasal administration. Desmopressin is poorly transferred into human breastmilk at negligible amounts (see Data). There is no information on the effects of desmopressin on the breastfed infant or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for DDAVP Nasal Spray and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from DDAVP Nasal Spray or from the underlying maternal condition.
Data
A trial was conducted in six healthy lactating women, at greater than 4 months postpartum, to evaluate intranasal administration of 300 mcg single dose of another desmopressin product (7.5 times the recommended adult dose of DDAVP Nasal Spray). Samples of maternal plasma and breastmilk were obtained at 0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360 and 480 min after the drug administration. At 8 hours after dose intake, the levels in the milk ranged between 4.16 and 101 pg/ml, and the plasma levels ranged between 40 and 242 pg/ml. The total amount of desmopressin present in the milk over the 8 hours ranged between 491 pg and 16 ng, which corresponds to 0.0001 - 0.005% of the administered dose to the breastfeeding mother.
Pediatric Use
DDAVP Nasal Spray is indicated as antidiuretic replacement therapy in the management of central diabetes insipidus in pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. DDAVP Nasal Spray is not indicated in pediatric patients less than 4 years of age.
Use of DDAVP Nasal Spray in pediatric patients 4 years of age and older is supported by evidence from adults and pediatric patients with central diabetes insipidus. Use in pediatric patients requires careful fluid intake restriction to prevent possible water intoxication with hyponatremia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of DDAVP Nasal Spray did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at a low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or drug therapy.
Because elderly patients are more likely to have renal impairment, care should be taken in dose selection, and monitoring renal function is recommended [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, Renal Impairment].
Use of DDAVP Nasal Spray in geriatric patients requires careful fluid intake restriction to prevent possible water intoxication with hyponatremia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Renal Impairment
Desmopressin acetate is substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions may be greater in patients with renal impairment than patients with normal renal function. DDAVP Nasal Spray is contraindicated in patients with estimated CLcr by Cockcroft-Gault equation less than 50 mL/min [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, CONTRAINDICATIONS].