desmopressin for life?

[mamas12]

Can someone take desmopressin (medication for the hormone that suppresses the production of urine at night, i.e. stops bedwetting)for the rest of their life?
I'm asking on behalf of someone who thinks that their child will be on this for ever until they die.
Her child has taken it for 2 - 3 years already.

I wonder if there are any side effects???

How old is the child? One of mine had to go on using it for a lot longer than that but did eventually became dry independently. It does feel desperate when you seem to be making no progress at all

Desmopressin is only mimicking a hormone that the body should be producing naturally anyway so is more benign than most.

information on patient.co.uk:

"Are there any side-effects with desmopressin?
Side-effects are rare. Read the packet leaflet for a list of all possible side-effects. They include headache, feeling sick, and mild tummy pain. These side-effects are not serious and go away if the treatment is stopped.
The most serious possible side-effect is due to the way the medicine works - it reduces the amount of urine that is made. Very rarely, this can lead to fluid overload (too much fluid in the body). This may lead to convulsions and serious problems. It has to be stressed that this is rare and unlikely to happen. However, as a precaution, it is advised that when a child takes desmopressin:

• He or she should not drink too much in the evening. Normal amounts to ease thirst are fine, but not extra drinks for pleasure, such as cans of lemonade.
• He or she should not drink more than one mug of liquid (about 240 ml) from one hour before taking desmopressin to eight hours afterwards. In effect, this means just give small drinks if your child is thirsty in the night. Also, do not give desmopressin to a child who is ill with diarrhoea or vomiting until the illness has cleared. Children with vomiting and diarrhoea should be given plenty of fluids."

Thank you Ponders. Child is 13 and too embarressed to go to docs again so friend is just going to let him take this for 'rest of his life'
I just hoped that it wouldn't harm him and whether she should just get him to see someone.
Will pass on thie link thanks

Mine went on much longer than that, but was not embarrassed about it, luckily. You're right that he should see someone now & again to review progress.

The advice we always had was to take 1-2 weeks off it every 2-3 months to check if he's suddenly started producing it himself - it does happen!

(You can buy those Dri-Nites for up to age 15 - which is an indication in itself that this is not as rare as everybody affected thinks it is, it's just that nobody talks about it! - to will protect bedding etc if he is still wet.

(Free sample from here)

Wish them luck from me!

Ponders Thank you I used to do it until I was 12 and my kids did it up till 9 - 10 so I know a bit about it too. Although in my day I was beaten and shamed, so my attitude to mine was as if there was a medical problem and that's that.
I will pass on your advice.

I used to do it too - again, until much older than 12 - it makes you much more understanding, doesn't it? I just wish it wasn't still such a taboo subject in general.