Octostim (Desmopressin Acetate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Octostim Used For?
Octostim contains desmopressin acetate, a synthetic version of a natural brain hormone called vasopressin. It helps your blood clot properly and reduces excessive bleeding.
Primary Uses
Octostim is used to increase blood clotting factor VIII levels in patients with mild and moderate hemophilia A and von Willebrand’s disease (but not type IIB) before dental or other surgery. It also treats excessive bleeding in patients with certain blood clotting cell (platelet) defects and can reduce spontaneous bleeding or bleeding after heart or other surgery.
How It Works
Octostim works by mimicking the action of vasopressin, a natural hormone produced in your brain. It increases the levels of blood clotting factors in your body, helping your blood to clot more effectively and reducing excessive bleeding.
How to Take Octostim
Octostim is given only by healthcare professionals as an injection into your vein (intravenously). It is never given as a muscle injection and is not intended for self-administration.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will calculate your dose based on your body weight and the condition being treated. For dental or minor surgery, it’s usually given 30 minutes before the procedure. For heart surgery, it’s given toward the end of the operation. If you respond well and need more doses, they may be given every 12 hours for as long as needed.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Octostim is administered by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, missed doses are not typically a concern. Your medical team will ensure you receive the medication according to your treatment schedule.
Important: Octostim is never given by injection into your muscle and is not intended for self-administration. It must always be given by trained healthcare professionals.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness (feeling lightheaded)
- Generalized or local swelling (limbs, face)
- Chills
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- High or low blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Emotional or behavioral disturbances
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Rash, itching or hives on skin
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Continuing headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid weight gain due to water buildup
- Convulsions, fitting and blackouts (including coma)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Octostim should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Octostim
Do not use Octostim if you are allergic to desmopressin acetate or any ingredients, have excessive thirst requiring increased fluid intake (polydipsia), heart failure, low sodium levels in blood, SIADH hormone disorder, history of chest pain due to inadequate heart blood supply (angina pectoris), or von Willebrand’s disease type IIB.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to anti-diuretic hormone, fluid imbalances, heart or blood vessel disease, low blood pressure, cystic fibrosis, blood clotting cell diseases, serious bladder problems, increased pressure in your head, moderate to severe kidney problems, or if you take diuretics or other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Octostim should only be given to pregnant women if needed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. It is not recommended while breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while receiving Octostim.
Elderly Patients: The elderly may be at increased risk of some side effects from Octostim.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Octostim and increase the risk of side effects, particularly fluid buildup and low sodium levels.
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Chlorpromazine (anti-psychotic)
- Carbamazepine (bipolar disorder and epilepsy medication)
- Opioids (pain relief medications)
- Diabetes medications (sulfonylurea group)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen
Alcohol & Driving
Octostim is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned for Octostim, but always consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while receiving any medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Storage
Octostim is usually stored in the hospital pharmacy or ward. It must be kept in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze. Keep it in its original packaging and protect it from light. Store away from moisture, heat, or sunlight, and keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has been given too much Octostim, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Overdose symptoms may include confusion, drowsiness, continuing headache, nausea or vomiting, rapid weight gain due to water buildup, or in severe cases, convulsions. Treatment involves restoring your body’s fluid balance and adjusting or stopping the medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Octostim is usually given 30 minutes before dental or minor surgery procedures. For heart surgery, it’s given toward the end of the operation. Your response will be monitored regularly to check how your body responds to the treatment.
No, Octostim is not intended for self-administration. It must always be given by trained healthcare professionals as an injection into your vein in a hospital or clinical setting.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions, especially heart problems, kidney issues, fluid imbalances, blood clotting disorders, and all medications you’re taking. Also inform them if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Watch for headache, stomach pain, nausea, confusion, drowsiness, continuing headache, vomiting, or rapid weight gain. These can be signs of hyponatraemia (low sodium levels), which is a rare but serious side effect that requires immediate medical attention.
You may not feel any effect from Octostim, but you’ll receive regular monitoring to check your body’s response. If you have blood clotting cell defects, your skin bleeding time will be monitored before surgery to determine your risk of blood loss.
Always tell your surgeon or anesthetist that you’re receiving Octostim, as it may affect other medicines used during surgery. Your medical team will coordinate your care appropriately.
Tell your doctor about any side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling of face or lips, confusion, rapid weight gain, or convulsions. Contact emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency department right away.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.