History of clinical applications of desmopressin

Abstract

Desmopressin is a synthetic analog of the endogenous peptide hormone arginine vasopressin, or antidiuretic hormone. The drug was initially developed in 1967 with the intention of creating a molecule that could treat central diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by a deficiency of ADH and results in the production of large volumes of dilute urine (Zaoral et al., 1967). In the years since, therapeutic use of desmopressin has expanded beyond central diabetes insipidus to include the treatment of many other conditions, notably nocturnal polyuria in children with enuresis (bed wetting), adult nocturia, congenital bleeding disorders, and more. The purpose of the present narrative review is to recount the history of desmopressin, review its key therapeutic indications, and discuss important pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic considerations of this medication.