TRIAL RESULTS · SIDE EFFECTS
Desmopressin side effects
ANSWER
In 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, the most common side effects of Desmopressin were headache 7.0% (placebo 3.9%), nausea 4.9% (placebo 1.3%), diarrhoea 4.7% (placebo 2.2%). Read from ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Trial register
Trials with posted results
10
with an arm on Desmopressin, of 131 registered
Against placebo
8
placebo-controlled trials
People in those trials
2,891
on Desmopressin · 1,055 on placebo
Read
2026-10-03
ClinicalTrials.gov
VS PLACEBO
Most common side effects, Desmopressin beside placebo
Share of people with each side effect in 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results: 2,891 people on Desmopressin (all doses), 1,055 on placebo, same trials. Listed only when reported for at least half of the people on Desmopressin. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
ALL TRIALS
The 100 most reported of 169 side effects reported
Every trial with posted results and an arm on Desmopressin (n ≥ 20), all phases, by people affected. Placebo is shown where placebo-controlled trials reported the same event. Comparator arms are not counted.
| Side effect | Organ system | Desmopressin | Placebo | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry mouth | Gastrointestinal disorders | 34.4% (402 of 1,168) | 35.8% | 1 |
| Dry Mouth | Gastrointestinal disorders | 29.8% (257 of 863) | 27.5% | 1 |
| Headache | Nervous system disorders | 7.0% (200 of 2,864) | 3.9% | 7 |
| Nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.9% (100 of 2,057) | 1.3% | 3 |
| Diarrhoea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.7% (99 of 2,102) | 2.2% | 4 |
| Nasopharyngitis | Infections and infestations | 4.2% (95 of 2,259) | 3.1% | 4 |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | Infections and infestations | 9.2% (79 of 863) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Hyponatraemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 3.1% (78 of 2,501) | 1.2% | 4 |
| Hypertension | Vascular disorders | 3.3% (67 of 2,057) | 0.7% | 3 |
| Dizziness | Nervous system disorders | 3.2% (65 of 2,031) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Urinary Tract Infection | Infections and infestations | 6.8% (59 of 863) | 0.6% | 1 |
| Back Pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 6.1% (53 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Bronchitis | Infections and infestations | 5.0% (43 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Insomnia | Psychiatric disorders | 4.7% (42 of 889) | 0.8% | 2 |
| Sinusitis | Infections and infestations | 4.8% (41 of 863) | 0.6% | 1 |
| Cough | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 3.8% (33 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Fatigue | General disorders | 3.7% (32 of 863) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Pain In Extremity | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 3.5% (30 of 863) | 0.6% | 1 |
| Influenza | Infections and infestations | 3.4% (29 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Oedema Peripheral | General disorders | 3.4% (29 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Blood sodium decreased | Investigations | 2.0% (27 of 1,377) | 0.2% | 3 |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | Infections and infestations | 1.4% (17 of 1,239) | 1.9% | 3 |
| Urinary tract infection | Infections and infestations | 1.0% (13 of 1,329) | 2.6% | 3 |
| Constipation | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.9% (11 of 1,194) | 1.3% | 2 |
| Abdominal pain upper | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.7% (8 of 1,194) | 1.0% | 2 |
| Pain | General disorders | 0.7% (8 of 1,194) | 0.8% | 2 |
| Atrial Fibrillation | Cardiac disorders | 0.8% (7 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Dyspepsia | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.5% (6 of 1,168) | 1.4% | 1 |
| Osteoarthritis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.4% (5 of 1,307) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Pollakiuria | Renal and urinary disorders | 0.4% (5 of 1,168) | 0.7% | 1 |
| Blood glucose increased | Investigations | 0.3% (4 of 1,168) | 1.0% | 1 |
| Pneumonia | Infections and infestations | 0.1% (3 of 2,031) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Asthenia | General disorders | 0.3% (3 of 908) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Myocardial Infarction | Cardiac disorders | 0.3% (3 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Rib Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.3% (3 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| mild increase of heart rate | Cardiac disorders | 3.8% (3 of 80) | - | 1 |
| Hepatic enzyme increased | Investigations | 11.5% (3 of 26) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Cellulitis | Infections and infestations | 0.1% (2 of 2,192) | 0.1% | 4 |
| Myalgia | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.1% (2 of 2,057) | 0.0% | 3 |
| Depression | Psychiatric disorders | 0.1% (2 of 2,031) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Diverticulitis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (2 of 2,031) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Appendicitis | Infections and infestations | 0.1% (2 of 2,031) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Metastasis | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (2 of 2,031) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Asthma | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.1% (2 of 2,031) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Vertigo | Ear and labyrinth disorders | 0.2% (2 of 889) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Syncope | Nervous system disorders | 0.2% (2 of 889) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Cardiac Failure Congestive | Cardiac disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Small Intestinal Obstruction | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Non-Cardiac Chest Pain | General disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Lung Infection | Infections and infestations | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Femur Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Road Traffic Accident | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Obesity | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Lumbar Spinal Stenosis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Subarachnoid Haemorrhage | Nervous system disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | Nervous system disorders | 0.2% (2 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia | Reproductive system and breast disorders | 0.4% (2 of 469) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Stomatitis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.4% (2 of 45) | 2.3% | 1 |
| Atrial fibrillation | Cardiac disorders | 0.1% (1 of 1,168) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Myocardial infarction | Cardiac disorders | 0.1% (1 of 1,168) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Adenosquamous cell lung cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 1,168) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Bladder cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 1,168) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Leukocytosis | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Thrombocythaemia | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Extrasystoles | Cardiac disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Left Ventricular Hypertrophy | Cardiac disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Sick Sinus Syndrome | Cardiac disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Spondylolisthesis | Congenital, familial and genetic disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Diverticulum | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Abdominal Adhesions | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Duodenal Ulcer Haemorrhage | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Haemorrhoids | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Intestinal Obstruction | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Pancreatitis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Cholelithiasis | Hepatobiliary disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hepatitis B | Infections and infestations | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Pelvic Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Upper Limb Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Clavicle Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Excoriation | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hip Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Scapula Fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Shunt Malfunction | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Splenic Rupture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Weight Decreased | Investigations | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hypocalcaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Anorexia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Dehydration | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Arthritis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Spinal Column Stenosis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Bladder Cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Breast Cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Prostate Cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.2% (1 of 469) | 1.1% | 1 |
| Adenosquamous Cell Lung Cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Bladder Neoplasm | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Breast Cancer Metastatic | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Lung Cancer Metastatic | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Rectal Cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Ureteric Cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Convulsion | Nervous system disorders | 0.1% (1 of 863) | 0.0% | 1 |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov posted results, read 2026-10-03. A trial lists events above its own reporting threshold, so a rare event may be missing from some trials. Not medical advice.
FDA LABEL
What the FDA label says
DESMODA NDA219873 · label of 2026-03-02 Regulator
Most common adverse reactions include: headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, hypertension, and diarrhea.
QUESTIONS
Does desmopressin cause headache?
In 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 7.0% of people on desmopressin reported headache, against 3.9% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does desmopressin cause nausea?
In 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 4.9% of people on desmopressin reported nausea, against 1.3% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does desmopressin cause diarrhoea?
In 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 4.7% of people on desmopressin reported diarrhoea, against 2.2% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does desmopressin cause nasopharyngitis?
In 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 4.2% of people on desmopressin reported nasopharyngitis, against 3.1% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does desmopressin cause hypertension?
In 8 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 3.3% of people on desmopressin reported hypertension, against 0.7% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
REGISTERED STUDIES
131 registered clinical trials of Desmopressin
The 10 most recently updated are listed.
| NCT07855315 | FESS With or Without Intranasal Desmopressin in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-10-02 |
|---|---|
| NCT07840313 | Prophylactic Desmopressin Before Native Kidney Biopsy in Severe Renal Impairment Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-09-25 |
| NCT07179991 | DDAVP Effect by TEG6 in Cardiac Surgery Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-21 |
| NCT06635629 | Desmopressin Stimulation Test Performance in ACTH-Dependent Cushing Syndrome Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-08-31 |
| NCT07576036 | International Multi-center Retrospective Study of Patients With Serum Sodium ≤110 mmol/L to Determine the Relationship Between Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome (ODS) and Rapid Correction of Hyponatremia Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Updated 2026-08-26 |
| NCT07776977 | Bedtime Device Restriction and Desmopressin in PMNE. Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-08-24 |
| NCT07712328 | Randomized Controlled Clinical Study on the Prophylactic Intraoperative Use of Desmopressin in Complex Sellar Region Tumors Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Updated 2026-07-17 |
| NCT06337838 | Bleeding Reduction in Acute and Chronic Kidney Patients Having Surgery (BRACKETS) Pilot Trial Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-05-22 |
| NCT04569591 | DDAVP for Pituitary Adenoma Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-04-09 |
| NCT07292753 | Vitamin D Versus Desmopressin Versus Combination Therapy in Children With Primary Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis and Vitamin D Deficiency Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-03-17 |
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