arginine vasopressin (Argipressin, AVP)

Indications: - assessment of diabetes insipidus (DI) - nephrogenic vs. central DI a) response of urine osmolality to water deprivation 1] close monitoring indicated 2] no change with nephrogenic or central DI b) urine osmolality 60 minutes after 5 units of SC or IV arginine vasopressin 1] doubling of urine osmolality indicates central DI 2] a lack of response indicates nephrogenic DI 3] patients with primary polydipsia may show response similar to nephrogenic DI due to washout of the medullary concentration gradient

General

vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone, ADH) endocrine agent

References

Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th ed, Ewald & McKenzie (eds), Little, Brown & Co, Boston, 1995, pg 50-51