Desmopressin for treating nocturia in men

This study investigated the effects of desmopressin (Noctiva; DP) in men with nocturia. They found that DP reduces the number of nighttime voids in these patients.

Nocturia is a condition where a patient wakes at night to urinate. It can have a negative impact on sleep and quality of life. There are a number of conditions that can lead to nocturia. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one cause. An enlarged prostate gland can cause a weakness in bladder control. Nocturia can also be caused by nocturnal polyuria (NP). This is an increased production of urine by the kidneys at night.

Desmopressin (DP) is a medication used to treat nocturia. It acts in a similar way to the hormone vasopressin. Vasopressin is produced by the pituitary gland. It is involved in the regulation of urine production. DP reduces the amount of urine produced. This can reduce nocturia caused by NP and BPH. Anticholinergics (ACs) and alpha-blockers (ABs) are other types of drugs used to treat nocturia. The effectiveness of DP compared to other treatments for nocturia in male patients remains under investigation.

This study analyzed data from 14 clinical trials on DP treatment for nocturia. These reports focused on men with nocturia. This study compared the effects of DP to other nocturia drugs or placebo (inactive drug).

DP treatment reduced the number of nighttime urinations over 12 months of treatment. DP was not associated with major adverse events. The reduction in nighttime voids was similar in patients taking ABs or ACs. Combining DP with ABs or ACs did not improve nocturia any further.

The authors concluded that desmopressin reduces the number of nighttime voids in men with nocturia.

The data analyzed in this study came from trials of short duration. Nocturia is a long-term condition. Also, the studies analyzed here included different DP formulations over the years. 

If you have any concerns regarding nocturia, please consult with your physician.