Comparative study of the antidiuretic effects of Adiuretin-SD (DDAVP) and Pitressin Tannate in diabetes insipidus.

An account is given of experience acquired with the prolonged administration of a new vasopressin analogue, 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), to patients with diabetes insipidus. The antidiuretic effect of this compound was compared with that of the long-acting Pitressin Tannate, containing a pituitary extract. It was found that DDAVP induces a far more significant antidiuretic effect than does Pitressin Tannate. Its application is not accompanied by any side effects, nor is its effectiveness decreassed after repeated administration. Similar conclusions were reached with the outpatient treatment of diabetes insipidus patients. The results indicate that nasally-administered Adiuretein-SD can be well utilized in the prolonged treatment of diabetes insipidus.