Intranasal desmopressin-associated hyponatremia: a case report and literature review

J Fam Pract. 1997 Feb;44(2):203-8.

Abstract

We present a case of a 29-year-old woman with a long history of nocturnal enuresis who developed symptomatic hyponatremia from water intoxication shortly after beginning desmopressin. A MEDLINE search in the English language revealed 13 prior case reports. All patients presented with seizure, mental status changes, or both. Two distinct presentations occurred: one group of patients maintained a stable course with desmopressin and developed symptoms related to an outside factor. The other group of patients were new to desmopressin and had a profound water intoxication response from its use. While the underlying cause was from simple overhydration, the quickness of this unanticipated adverse effect is noteworthy. The importance of counseling to ensure a family's and a patient's understanding of the effects of desmopressin as well as monitoring electrolytes periodically may help identify and prevent this serious iatrogenic complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / adverse effects*
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / therapeutic use
  • Enuresis / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / chemically induced*
  • Hyponatremia / prevention & control
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Renal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Renal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Water Intoxication / chemically induced
  • Water Intoxication / prevention & control

Substances

  • Renal Agents
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin