The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicines supply notification (MSN) for for desmopressin 10mg/dose nasal spray which is out of stock until early September 2025.

Desmopressin nasal spray is licensed for the treatment of vasopressin-sensitive central diabetes insipidus and as a diagnostic test of the renal concentrating capacity. 

Unlicensed supplies of desmopressin 10mg/dose nasal spray are available lead times may vary.

Desmopressin 100mg and 200mg tablets, desmopressin sublingual tablets and DDAVP® Melt oral lyophilisates (60, 120 and 240mg) remain available and can support an increase in demand.

Desmopressin 4mg/ml injection is available (see Supporting Information).

Actions required

Where patients have insufficient supply of desmopressin 10mg/dose nasal spray until the resupply date: 

• prescribe unlicensed imports of desmopressin 10mg/dose nasal spray - select desmopressin 10mg/dose nasal spray (imported) on electronic prescribing software. Paper prescriptions should be annotated with the wording 'special order'.
• where not suitable, prescribe an equivalent dose of an oral desmopressin product and counsel on the change in formulation, and dosage (see Supporting Information)

Advice should be sought from specialists on an alternative management option if the above options are not suitable. The switch from the nasal to an oral formulation should be overseen by the endocrinology team.

Prescribers are reminded that there was a Patient Safety Alert in 2016 to raise awareness of the risk of severe dehydration and death caused by an omission or delay of desmopressin in patients with cranial diabetes insipidus.

ScriptSwitch® messages have been enabled to provide information on this shortage to support primary care. 

Clinicians should refer to the SPS Medicines Shortage Tool for MSN/2025/010 for actions required and supporting information.