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Cardiovascular & blood

Vasopressin

Also called arginine vasopressin, AVP, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), Vasostrict

Vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone, is a natural hormone that helps the body keep water and tightens blood vessels. As a drug, it is given by IV drip in the ICU to raise blood pressure in shock that does not respond to fluids and standard pressor drugs.

FDA-approvedApproved by the FDA for at least one use after large human trials.

All printable flashcards

Drawn from its published sequence: 9 residues, one bead each. Dashed arcs are ring bonds.

Overview

Vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone, is a natural hormone that helps the body keep water and tightens blood vessels. As a drug, it is given by IV drip in the ICU to raise blood pressure in shock that does not respond to fluids and standard pressor drugs.

How it works

Established: vasopressin tightens blood vessels through V1 receptors (via phospholipase C and calcium release) and makes the kidneys save water through V2 receptors (via cAMP). In shock, the V1 effect raises blood pressure. Its half-life at shock doses is 10 minutes or less.

What research shows

  • Label adverse reactions come mainly from voluntary reports, so reliable frequencies are not available (FDA label).

Doses studied in people

Study or labelDose usedSource
FDA label, post-cardiotomy shock (adults)Start 0.03 units/min IV, titrated in 0.005 units/min steps; maximum 0.1 units/min2
FDA label, septic shock (adults)Start 0.01 units/min IV, titrated in 0.005 units/min steps; maximum 0.07 units/min2

Hospital-only IV infusion doses from the FDA label.

Read this first: these are the amounts given to participants in published studies or written on official prescribing labels, reported for reference. They are not recommendations. Trial doses were chosen for specific patients under medical supervision, and a dose that is safe in one person can be harmful in another.

Safety

  • Can lower cardiac output and worsen heart function (label).
  • Ischemia of the heart, gut, skin and fingers/toes; slow or fast heart rhythms; low sodium (label).
  • Reversible diabetes insipidus after stopping — monitor sodium, fluids and urine output (label).
  • Contraindicated with vasopressin allergy; multi-dose vial also with chlorobutanol allergy (label).

Report side effects of any drug or product to the FDA through MedWatch. For a possible poisoning in the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Storage and stability

Refrigerate at 2–8°C; unopened vials may be held at room temperature up to 12 months; opened 10 mL vials discarded after 30 days (label).

General lab handling, not instructions for personal use. See Storage and stability.

History

Vasostrict received FDA approval in 2014 for vasodilatory shock in adults.

Common questions

Is vasopressin FDA-approved?

Yes. Vasostrict was approved in 2014 for adults with vasodilatory shock, a dangerous drop in blood pressure from widened blood vessels 2.

How does vasopressin work?

It tightens blood vessels through V1 receptors, which raises blood pressure in shock, and helps the kidneys save water through V2 receptors 2.

What doses are on the FDA label?

These are hospital-only IV drips: septic shock starts at 0.01 units/min, up to 0.07, and post-heart-surgery shock starts at 0.03 units/min, up to 0.1 2. They are label figures, not advice.

What are the risks of vasopressin?

The label warns it can reduce heart output and cause poor blood flow to the heart, gut, skin, fingers and toes 2. Low sodium and temporary diabetes insipidus after stopping can also occur 2.

Is vasopressin banned in sport?

It is not named on WADA's 2026 Prohibited List, though its relative desmopressin is listed under S5 3.

How is vasopressin stored?

Vials are refrigerated at 2 to 8°C, unopened vials may sit at room temperature for up to 12 months, and opened 10 mL vials are discarded after 30 days 2.

Related compounds

Endocrine (other)FDA-approvedFlashcard

Desmopressin

DDAVP · dDAVP

Desmopressin is a modified version of the body's water-saving hormone, vasopressin.

Endocrine (other)FDA-approvedFlashcard

Octreotide

Sandostatin · Sandostatin LAR Depot

Octreotide is a long-acting, man-made version of somatostatin, the body's 'off switch' for many hormones.

Sources

  1. VASOSTRICT original prescribing information (2014) FDA label
  2. WADA 2026 Prohibited List Regulatory

Last reviewed 2026-10-25 · How we research · Found an error? See our corrections policy.