Diabetes Insipidus Treatment

Diabetes insipidus treatment depends on the form of diabetes. For example, central diabetes insipidus treatment usually involves a synthetic hormone called desmopressin. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus treatment often begins with hydrochlorothiazide or indomethacin. The drug desmopressin should not be used as a dipsogenic diabetes insipidus treatment because it may decrease urine output but not thirst and fluid intake.

 

Diabetes Insipidus Treatment: An Overview

Types of diabetes insipidus include:
 
A specialist should determine which form of diabetes insipidus is present before starting any diabetes insipidus treatment.
 

Central Diabetes Insipidus Treatment

Central diabetes insipidus is caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Central diabetes insipidus treatment usually involves a synthetic hormone called desmopressin that can be taken as an injection, a nasal spray, or a pill.
 
While taking desmopressin for central diabetes insipidus treatment, you should drink fluids or water only when you are thirsty and not at other times. This is because the drug prevents water excretion, and water can build up now that your kidneys are making less urine and are less responsive to changes in body fluids.
 

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Treatment

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus treatment often begins with
 hydrochlorothiazide (also called HCTZ) or indomethacin. HCTZ is sometimes combined with another drug called amiloride. The combination of HCTZ and amiloride is sold under the brand name Moduretic®. Again, with this combination of drugs, you should drink fluids only when you are thirsty and not at other times.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD