Desmopressin: a nontransfusional treatment of hemophilia and von Willebrand disease

Haemostasis. 1992;22(5):276-80. doi: 10.1159/000216335.

Abstract

Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) is a synthetic analogue of the antidiuretic hormone L-arginine vasopressin. Because it can raise circulating levels of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, desmopressin is used for nontransfusional treatment of mild and moderate hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Desmopressin also shortens the prolonged skin bleeding time in patients suffering from von Willebrand disease and is given to prevent or stop excessive bleeding in such conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bleeding Time
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / adverse effects
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / pharmacology
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Factor VIII / analysis*
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Hemophilia A / complications
  • Hemophilia A / drug therapy*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Stimulation, Chemical
  • von Willebrand Diseases / complications
  • von Willebrand Diseases / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Factor VIII
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin