Desmopressin (DDAVP): indications and practicalities.

What was studied

This is practical advice on desmopressin, also called DDAVP. In Switzerland it is available for von Willebrand disease. It is also available for non-severe haemophilia A. The advice also covers mild platelet function disorders. It covers bleeding disorders of unknown cause too. Swiss experts in blood disorders joined forces. They reached a consensus. It draws on published literature and Swiss clinical experience.

What they found

Desmopressin may raise and normalise clotting factor levels. It may do the same for von Willebrand factor. This was for von Willebrand disease and for non-severe haemophilia A. It can prevent bleeding or treat it in mild platelet function disorders. It can do the same in bleeding disorders of unknown cause. Response cannot be predicted from starting levels of these factors. So the authors say a desmopressin trial should check tolerability. They say it should also find responders. Past side effects and current contraindications need careful weighing before every dose.

What it means for patients

The paper says desmopressin may raise factor levels in these patients. It says the drug can prevent or treat bleeding in the other disorders. It says a trial of the drug is needed to find responders. It also says safety history must be reviewed before each dose.

Why it is not certain yet

It is a consensus, not a trial. Response cannot be predicted from starting levels. The abstract gives no figures on how many people respond.

Source

Desmopressin (DDAVP): indications and practicalities.

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