Desmopressin
Desmopressin is an FDA-approved selective V2 receptor agonist in the Vasopressin Receptor Agonist class. Two structural modifications to vasopressin — deamination at position 1 and substitution of D-arginine at position 8 — give desmopressin strong selectivity for the V2 receptor over V1a, so antidiuretic activity is retained while pressor activity is largely lost.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- —
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 1069.2 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- intranasal, oral, intravenous, subcutaneous
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
Synthetic vasopressin analog approved for central diabetes insipidus, primary nocturnal enuresis, nocturia, and for raising factor VIII and von Willebrand factor in mild haemophilia A and type 1 von Willebrand disease.
Peptide Library's Desmopressin profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- —
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- intranasal, oral, intravenous, subcutaneous
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Desmopressin is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C46H64N14O12S2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 1069.2 g/mol |
| PubChem CID | 5311065 |
| FDA UNII | ENR1LLB0FP |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1429 |
| DrugBank | DB00035 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Two structural modifications to vasopressin — deamination at position 1 and substitution of D-arginine at position 8 — give desmopressin strong selectivity for the V2 receptor over V1a, so antidiuretic activity is retained while pressor activity is largely lost. V2 stimulation promotes renal water reabsorption, and separately triggers release of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from vascular endothelial storage sites.
Studies
- A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of Tuina for nocturnal enuresis in children
- Desmopressin as a hemostatic and blood sparing agent in bleeding disorders
- Effect of Desmopressin on Bleeding After Heart Surgeries: A Narrative Review
- Desmopressin acetate the first sublingual tablet to treat nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria
- Desmopressin (Nocdurna and Noctiva) for nocturnal polyuria
Regulatory & research status
Desmopressin is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Approved product (see FDA status) |
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
—
Potential Side Effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Desmopressin: frequently asked questions
What is Desmopressin?
Synthetic vasopressin analog approved for central diabetes insipidus, primary nocturnal enuresis, nocturia, and for raising factor VIII and von Willebrand factor in mild haemophilia A and type 1 von Willebrand disease.
How does Desmopressin work?
Two structural modifications to vasopressin — deamination at position 1 and substitution of D-arginine at position 8 — give desmopressin strong selectivity for the V2 receptor over V1a, so antidiuretic activity is retained while pressor activity is largely lost. V2 stimulation promotes renal water reabsorption, and separately triggers release of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from vascular endothelial storage sites.
Is Desmopressin FDA approved?
Yes. Desmopressin is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What peptides are similar to Desmopressin?
Compounds most often compared with Desmopressin include Vasopressin, Terlipressin, Angiotensin II and Cetrorelix. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of Tuina for nocturnal enuresis in children — Front Pharmacol, 2024External reference
- Desmopressin as a hemostatic and blood sparing agent in bleeding disorders — Eur J Haematol, 2023External reference
- Effect of Desmopressin on Bleeding After Heart Surgeries: A Narrative Review — Anesth Pain Med, 2023External reference
- Desmopressin acetate the first sublingual tablet to treat nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria — Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol, 2021External reference
- Desmopressin (Nocdurna and Noctiva) for nocturnal polyuria — Med Lett Drugs Ther, 2019External reference
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Desmopressin profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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