Vasopressin is a natural antidiuretic hormone inside your body that regulates the volume of body fluids.
If used as a medication, it can be used to increase blood pressure as an acute treatment for vasodilatory shock, including postcardiotomy shock and septic shock.
Vasopressin is administered via intravenous injection. Prior to administration, it should be diluted in 0.9% normal saline or 5% dextrose in water.
Postcardiotomy shock:
Initial: 0.03 units/min, and increase by 0.005 units/min at 10-15 minutes intervals until target blood pressure is reached.
Maximum: 0.1 units/min.
Maintenance: after target blood pressure has been maintained for 8 hours, taper down by 0.005 units/minute every hour.
Septic shock:
Initial: 0.01 units/min, and increase by 0.005 units/min at 10-15 minutes intervals until target blood pressure is reached.
Maximum: 0.07 units/min.
Maintenance: after target blood pressure has been maintained for 8 hours, taper down by 0.005 units/minute every hour.
Common dosing schedule:
Some common medications Vasopressin may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Vasopressin is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Vasopressin in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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