Friday, September 2, 2016

Minirin Spray


Pronunciation: DES-moe-PRES-in
Generic Name: Desmopressin
Brand Name: Minirin


Minirin Spray is used for:

Managing temporarily increased thirst and urination caused by head injury or certain types of brain surgery, or to manage certain types of diabetes (cranial diabetes insipidus). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.


Minirin Spray is an antidiuretic hormone. It works by causing the kidneys to produce less urine.


Do NOT use Minirin Spray if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Minirin Spray

  • you have moderate to severe kidney problems

  • you have or have a history of low blood sodium levels (salt depletion)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Minirin Spray:


Some medical conditions may interact with Minirin Spray. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you have nasal problems (eg, scarring, swelling, congestion, blockage, discharge, severe runny nose) or a history of nasal surgery

  • if you have severe drowsiness

  • if you have a history of kidney problems, heart attack or other heart problems (eg, heart blood vessel problems, heart failure), blood clots (eg, in the legs, lungs, eyes), blood circulation problems, stroke, high or low blood pressure, blood electrolyte problems (eg, low blood sodium levels), swelling or fluid retention, or a condition that causes you to be very thirsty

  • if you have cystic fibrosis, dehydration, fever, severe infection, or vomiting or diarrhea

  • if you are exposed to very hot weather, are physically active, or drink a lot of water or fluids

  • if you have recently had surgery in the head area

  • if you take antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine) or medicines to treat blood pressure or heart problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Minirin Spray. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, lamotrigine, narcotic analgesics (eg, codeine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), oxybutynin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, imipramine) because the risk of fluid overload with low blood sodium levels may be increased

Ask your health care provider if Minirin Spray may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Minirin Spray:


Use Minirin Spray as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • An extra patient leaflet is available with Minirin Spray. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.

  • Minirin Spray should only be used in the nose. Do not get it in your eyes or mouth. If you get it in your eyes, rinse at once with cool tap water.

  • The pump must be primed before the first use. To prime the pump, point the nozzle away from yourself and others and press down 4 times.

  • If the pump has not been used for over a week, reprime the pump by pressing down once.

  • To use, gently blow your nose. Tilt the bottle so that the tube inside draws from the deepest amount of medicine.

  • Sit down and tilt your head back slightly. Place the tip of the spray container into the nose. Using a finger from your other hand, press against the opposite nostril to close if off. Breathe gently through the open nostril and squeeze the spray container. If you are using more than 1 spray, wait for 1 to 2 minutes between sprays.

  • Alternate between nostrils with each spray as directed by your doctor.

  • After using the medicine, rinse the tip of the spray unit in hot water and dry with a clean tissue to prevent contamination.

  • Replace the cap on the bottle after each use.

  • The bottle contains 50 sprays. Keep track of how many sprays you use, and throw the bottle away after 50 sprays. Do not try to use more than 50 sprays from the bottle, because you may not get the correct amount of medicine in each spray. Do not try to transfer the remaining medicine to another bottle.

  • If you miss a dose of Minirin Spray, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Minirin Spray.



Important safety information:


  • Minirin Spray may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Minirin Spray with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

  • Minirin Spray may increase the risk of fluid overload and low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia). Hyponatremia may be fatal if left untreated. Children and elderly patients are at a greater risk for these conditions. Serious side effects, such as seizures, may occur if you drink too much fluid while taking Minirin Spray. Carefully follow the fluid intake instructions given to you by your doctor. Do not drink more than needed to satisfy your thirst. Contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of hyponatremia (eg, confusion; hallucinations; headache; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes, such as irritability; muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps; nausea; restlessness; seizures; sluggishness; tiredness; unusual weight gain; vomiting).

  • Check with your doctor if you experience infection, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to very hot weather, will be physically active, or will be increasing your water intake for any reason. The risk of low blood sodium levels may be increased.

  • Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.

  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Minirin Spray before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

  • Lab tests, including urine volume or blood electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Minirin Spray. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

  • Use Minirin Spray with caution in the ELDERLY and in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially fluid overload and low blood sodium levels. Carefully follow the fluid intake instructions given to you by your doctor.

  • Minirin Spray should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old if used for nighttime bedwetting; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Minirin Spray while you are pregnant. It is not known if Minirin Spray is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Minirin Spray, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.


Possible side effects of Minirin Spray:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Cough; facial flushing; mild stomach cramps; nosebleed; runny or stuffy nose; sore throat.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); calf or leg pain, tenderness, or swelling; chest pain; confusion; coughing up blood; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, irritability); muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps; nausea; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; personality changes; recurrent or severe nosebleeds; restlessness; seizures; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; slurred speech; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swelling of the head of the penis; unusual tiredness or sluggishness; unusual weight gain; vision problems; vomiting.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Minirin side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; drowsiness; severe or persistent headache; sudden, unexplained weight gain; trouble urinating. Minirin Spray may be harmful if swallowed.


Proper storage of Minirin Spray:

Store Minirin Spray in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Storage for up to 3 weeks at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Minirin Spray out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Minirin Spray, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Minirin Spray is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Minirin Spray. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Minirin resources


  • Minirin Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Minirin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Minirin Drug Interactions
  • Minirin Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Minirin - Add your own review/rating


Compare Minirin with other medications


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