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Minirin Tablets

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Generic Name: Desmopressin acetate
Product Name: Minirin Tablets

Indication

Minirin Tablets are used to treat primary nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) in adults and children over 6 years of age whose ability to concentrate urine is normal. Minirin Tablets should only be used to treat bed wetting if management with a bed wetting alarm fails or when a bed wetting alarm is contraindicated or inappropriate.

Minirin Tablets may also be used to treat cranial diabetes insipidus, a type of pituitary disorder characterised by the production of large amounts of urine and constant thirst.

Minirin Tablets (200 µg) are currently subsidised under the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia.

Bedwetting Treatment PamphletDownload the guide Bedwetting Can Be Treated.

 

Bedwetting Can Be Treated information packOrder a FREE information pack.
This pack includes an information leaflet and a copy of the “Understanding Bedwetting” DVD.

Action

Desmopressin, the active ingredient in Minirin Tablets, is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring substance vasopressin which is produced in the pituitary gland.

Vasopressin has several actions in the body including reducing the amount of urine produced by the kidneys. Desmopressin works in the same way as vasopressin.

Dose advice

Dose information


How to take Minirin Tablets

The correct dose will be determined by the doctor who prescribes Minirin Tablets. Always take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor, even if the dose information on the medicine packet is different. Continue to take the medicine even if you start feeling well. Minirin Tablets control your condition but does not cure it. You must continue to take the medicine or you may become unwell again.

The dose is individualised so you may be prescribed a different dose from another person taking Minirin Tablets. Minirin Tablets are available in Australia in 200 µg dose form. Do not give the medicine to anybody else or use it to treat any other health problem.


Dose for primary nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting)

If you are taking Minirin Tablets for bed wetting, the doctor will usually prescribe a starting dose of 200 µg, to be taken once a day at bedtime. The dose may be increased up to 400 µg at bedtime if the 200 µg dose does not resolve your problem.

Whilst taking the medicine for bedwetting it is important to limit how much fluid you drink. You should drink no more than a few sips, just enough to satisfy your thirst, from 1 hour before until 8 hours after taking your daily dose of Minirin Tablets. At other times of the day, drink fluids normally to prevent dehydration.

You will usually be prescribed the medicine for periods up to 3 months, after which you will stop taking the medicine for a period of at least 1 week so that your condition can be reassessed. If you continue to experience bed wetting you will need to continue taking the medicine.


If you forget to take a dose of Minirin Tablets at bedtime, do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot. Continue taking the medicine as normal the following day.


Dose for cranial diabetes insipidus

When Minirin Tablets are used to treat cranial diabetes insipidus, the daily dose normally lies in the range of 200 µg to 1,200 µg. Your doctor will usually prescribe 100 µg three times a day when you begin taking Minirin Tablets. Your doctor may then adjust the dose, depending on how effectively it treats your condition. Most people need to take 100 µg to 200 µg of Minirin Tablets three times daily.

If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose. You should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. You should then adjust the time at which your next dose is due. After that you can return to taking the medicine as normal. If you have any questions about when to take the medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.


Overdose

Taking too many Minirin Tablets increases the risk of water retention and/or hyponatraemia (a condition characterised by lack of salt in the bloodstream). Do not take any more Minirin Tablets. Speak to your doctor or call the Poisons Information Hotline (telephone number in Australia is 13 11 26) even if you are feeling well. You may require urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include confusion, drowsiness, continuing headache, nausea or vomiting, rapid weight gain or in severe cases, convulsions.


If you have any queries about the correct way to use Minirin Tablets, please ask your doctor.


Contraindications

Minirin Tablets should not be used under certain conditions. Tell your doctor if you:

  • Have an allergy  to desmopressin acetate (the active ingredient) or any excipients (inactive ingredients) in the product, or any other medicine or food;
  • Have an allergic reaction (may occur in hypersensitive individuals): Symptoms of an allergic reaction include facial swelling, rash/hive and/or shortness of breath/wheezing. Stop taking your medicine immediately if you experience these symptoms and seek medical advice;
  • Drink large quantities of fluid. You may need to restrict your fluid intake whilst being treated for bed wetting with Minirin Tablets. Restrict fluid intake from 1 hour before until 8 hours after taking Minirin Tablets. Drinking too much fluid can lead to complications, including water retention and/or hyponatraemia. These conditions may occur with or without accompanying warning signs and symptoms (such as headache, nausea and vomiting, weight gain and convulsions);
  • Have heart problems characterised by shortness of breath and swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid accumulation;
  • Have kidney insufficiency or a kidney condition where you pass little or no urine;
  • Have a condition called syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH): This condition which causes you to secrete too much anti-diuretic hormone (ADH);
  • Have low levels of sodium in your blood, a condition known as hyponatraemia.


Precautions

Special care needs to be taken before you start using Minirin Tablets. Tell your doctor if you:

  • Have an allergy to desmopressin (the active ingredient of Minirin Tablets) or any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes;
  • Have a fluid imbalance in your body: This means that either you have too much or too little fluid in your body;
  • Develop water retention and/or hyponatraemia which may or may not cause signs and symptoms including headache, nausea and vomiting, weight gain and convulsions. If you develop these signs and symptoms whilst taking Minirin Tablets, stop taking the medicine immediately and see your doctor;
  • Have low blood pressure;
  • Have cardiovascular disease;
  • Have a fluid or salt imbalance caused by cystic fibrosis, an acute illness or infection, or any other disease that affects fluid and salt levels;
  • Have a severe condition affecting your bladder function and ability to pass urine;
  • Have a disease that affects the way your blood clots;
  • Have another condition that might cause urinary frequency, such as multiple sclerosis or urge incontinence (a sudden urge to urinate);
  • Have diabetes mellitus;
  • Take a medicine called a diuretic, which may be used to treat heart or blood vessel diseases as well as a range of other conditions;
  • Take a medicine called loperamide, which is used to treat diarrhoea;
  • Take a medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID);
  • Take tricyclic antidepressants;
  • Take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
  • Take medicine called chlorpromazine or carbamazepine.


Other medications

If you are taking Minirin Tablets, tell your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional before starting any new medicines. Tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking Minirin Tablets before you are sedated to have surgery.

Tell your doctor if you become ill while taking Minirin Tablets. He/she may wish to monitor your condition. If you develop symptoms of water retention and/or hyponatraemia, you must seek urgent medical advice.

Symptoms include:


Pregnancy

Minirin Tablets are a Pregnancy Category B2 medication. You should not use Minirin Tablets if you are pregnant unless your doctor has specifically told you that you should. Studies have not been conducted to determine whether the medicine is safe when used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant whilst taking Minirin Tablets so that they can discuss the risks and benefits of using the drug during pregnancy.


Breastfeeding

You should not use Minirin Tablets if you are breastfeeding. The medicine is passed into your breastmilk. Studies have not been done to determine whether or not the medicine is safe when used during breastfeeding.


Children

Minirin Tablets can be used to treat bed wetting in children 6 years of age and older. Children should be closely observed when they are taking the medicine to ensure they take the correct dose. They should also be monitored to ensure that they restrict their fluid intake when treated for bedwetting.

Minirin Tablets can also be used in children to treat cranial diabetes insipidus.


Storage

Minirin Tablets should be stored below 25°C, in the original packaging, and protected from moisture and light. Always close the cap of your medicine container firmly. The desiccant capsule should not be removed from the container. Do not take the medicine if it has passed its expiry date or if the packaging shows signs of tampering. Return damaged or expired medicines to your pharmacy.

Schedule

Minirin Tablets is a Schedule S4 (prescription only) medication.1

Common side effects

All medicines can have side effects. Most commonly the side effects are minor; however, some can be more serious. Usually the benefits of taking a medication outweigh the associated side effects. Your doctor would have considered these side effects before starting you on Minirin Tablets.

If you do not restrict your fluid intake, there is a risk of water retention/hyponatraemia when taking Minirin Tablets. Hyponatraemia may occur with or without accompanying warning signs and symptoms (headache, nausea, vomiting, weight gain and, in severe cases, convulsions). Elderly people (older than 60 years) have an increased risk of these side effects, as do those taking higher doses of the medicine.

In clinical studies, the following adverse events have occurred at least once in individuals using Minirin Tablets for the treatment of cranial diabetes insipidus:

The following adverse events of taking Minirin Tablets have been observed in patients treated for primary nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting).


Very common side effects

Very common side effects are those that occur in more than 10% of people given Minirin Tablets. These include:

  • Coughing;
  • Respiratory disorder;
  • Vomiting;
  • Fever;
  • Headache.


Common side effects

Common side effects are those that occur in 1–10% of people given Minirin Tablets. These include:

  • Upper respiratory tract infection;
  • Sore throat;
  • Nasal congestion;
  • Throat infection;
  • Asthma;
  • Abdominal pain;
  • Nausea;
  • Diarrhoea;
  • Abdominal cramp;
  • Gastroenteritis;
  • Upset stomach;
  • Influenza-like symptoms;
  • Allergy;
  • Accident and/or injury;
  • Ear infection;
  • Ear ache.

Uncommon side effects

Side effects that occur in less than 1% of people given Minirin Tablets are considered uncommon. People do not necessarily experience any of these side effects, so do not become alarmed by this list:

  • N/A


Rare side effects

Rare side effects are those that occur in 0.01–0.1% of people given Minirin Tablets. These include:

  • N/A 


Very rare side effects

Very rare side effects are those that occur in less than 0.01% of people given Minirin Tablets. These include:

  • Emotional disturbances (children). 

After Minirin Tablets were made available, there have been isolated cases of allergic skin reactions, more severe general allergic reactions and visual abnormalities reported. Very rare cases of emotional disturbances in children have been reported.


If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms that appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

Useful resources:

http://www.treatbedwetting.com.au/For more information about the causes of and treatment options for bedwetting, see Treat Bedwetting.

 

http://www.treatbedwetting.com.au/bedwetting_challenge_checklist_form.htmlTo help you understand why you or your child wets the bed, complete this checklist and take it to your doctor.

 

WetAlert order formWhere Minirin (desmopressin) is not appropriate, a bed wetting alarm may be used.

 

Related Documents

pdf download CMI

 

 

References

  1. Product Information: Minirin Tablets. Gordon, NSW: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd; 8 May 2012.
  2. Product leave-behind. PBS listed for Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE) and Cranial Diabetes Insipidus (CDI). Pymble, NSW: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd; May 2011.
  3. Consumer Medical Information: Minirin Tablets. Gordon, NSW: Ferring Pharamceuticals Pty Ltd; May 2012.

Diseases treated by this drug:

 

For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 15 May, 2006
Modified On: 21 December, 2012
Reviewed On: 21 December, 2012

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Created by: myVMC