Minirin Injection (Desmopressin Acetate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Minirin Injection Used For?
Minirin Injection contains desmopressin acetate, a synthetic version of a natural hormone called vasopressin that’s produced in your brain. This medication works on your kidneys to reduce the amount of urine your body produces and has several important medical uses.
Primary Uses
Minirin Injection is used to treat cranial diabetes insipidus (CDI), which causes excessive urination and constant thirst. It’s also used as a diagnostic test to check how well your kidneys can concentrate urine in adults. Additionally, it helps increase blood clotting factor VIII levels in patients with mild to moderate haemophilia A and von Willebrand’s disease (except type IIB) before dental or other surgery, and treats excessive bleeding in patients with certain blood clotting cell defects.
How It Works
This medication mimics the action of vasopressin, a natural hormone that helps your kidneys retain water and reduce urine production. It also affects blood clotting by increasing certain clotting factors in your blood.
Good to know: This medication is not intended for self-administration and will always be given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting.
How to Take Minirin Injection
Minirin Injection is given by a healthcare professional either into a muscle (intramuscularly) or into a vein (intravenously), depending on what condition is being treated. You cannot give this injection to yourself.
Dosage Instructions
For cranial diabetes insipidus: Adults typically receive 1 to 4 micrograms daily by injection, usually divided into two doses. Children receive up to 0.4 micrograms daily. For kidney function testing: Adults receive a single dose of up to 4 micrograms. For surgery preparation: The injection is usually given 30 minutes before dental or minor surgery, or towards the end of heart surgery. Your doctor will calculate the exact dose based on your condition, body weight, and response to treatment.
Important: The timing and frequency of your injections will be carefully managed by your healthcare team based on your specific medical needs.
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:
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Dizziness (feeling lightheaded)
- Generalized or local swelling (limbs, face)
- Chills
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of low sodium levels: confusion, drowsiness, continuing headache, nausea or vomiting, rapid weight gain
- High or low blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Emotional or behavioral disturbances
- Allergic reactions: shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching or hives
- Convulsions, fitting and blackouts (including coma)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Minirin Injection should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take Minirin Injection
Do not use this medication if you’re 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 disease type IIB.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to anti-diuretic hormone, fluid imbalances in your body, 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 diuretic medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Minirin Injection should only be given during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. This medication is not recommended while breastfeeding.
Elderly Patients: Elderly patients may be at increased risk of experiencing side effects from this medication.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can increase the effects of Minirin Injection and may increase your risk of side effects, particularly fluid buildup in your body.
Important: Always tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking, as they may affect how Minirin Injection works.
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Chlorpromazine (anti-psychotic)
- Carbamazepine (for bipolar disorder and epilepsy)
- Opioid pain medications
- Diabetes medications (sulfonylurea group)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen
Alcohol & Driving
This medication is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery under normal circumstances.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Minirin Injection should not impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, if you experience side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities until you feel better.
Storage
Minirin Injection must be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze the medication. Keep it in its original packaging and protect it from light. Store it away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep the medication where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have received too much Minirin Injection, seek immediate medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. 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 may require reducing the dose or stopping the medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
The response time varies greatly between individuals, and you may not feel any immediate effect. For cranial diabetes insipidus, the medication helps control thirst and frequent urination. Your healthcare team will provide regular monitoring to check your body’s response to the treatment.
For cranial diabetes insipidus, you will likely need Minirin Injection or other forms of the medication for the rest of your life, as it helps control your condition but does not cure it. For other uses like surgery preparation or bleeding control, it will be given only as long as necessary.
For cranial diabetes insipidus, carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about fluid intake to keep your body water in balance. For kidney function testing, you must avoid drinking fluids from one hour before the injection until at least eight hours after – drink no more than a few sips during this period.
Minirin Injection should only be given during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. If you become pregnant while receiving this medication, tell your doctor immediately.
Always remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist that you’re receiving Minirin Injection. If you’re having surgery, tell the surgeon or anesthetist, as it may affect other medicines used during surgery. Also inform your doctor before any blood tests, as it may interfere with some test results.
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.
Elderly patients may be at increased risk of experiencing side effects from Minirin Injection. Your doctor will carefully monitor your response and adjust treatment as needed.
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.