Bed-Wetting Drug Linked to Seizures

December 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned parents and healthcare professionals that seizures may result form a drug commonly prescribed to children to control bed-wetting. Desmopressin, sold as DDAVP, DDVP, Stimate, and more, may lead to seizures and death among young children who take the intranasal drug.

Desmopressin is most often taken as a nasal spray formula. The drug is used to treat nocturnal enuresis, commonly known as bed-wetting. This FDA warning seeks to curb negative affects resulting from the use of desmopressin.

The drug has been linked to a condition known as hyponatremia. Serious hyponatremia illness may lead to seizures, a dangerous side effect particularly among children and patients in a weakened state. In severe cases, the condition can lead to death.