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Peptide Library

Peptide profile

Cardiovascular Animal data

Vasopressin (ADH analog)

Antidiuretic hormone peptide

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Summary

Antidiuretic hormone for water retention & blood pressure.

A body signal that helps you keep water and supports blood pressure.

Typical dose
2.5-10 units Every 2-6 hours (as needed)
Route
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular
Cycle length
Short-term or chronic (DI)
Evidence
Animal data

Mechanism

How it works

Vasopressin works like a water conservation switch — it tells your kidneys to pull water back into your body instead of sending it to the bladder.

Vasopressin is a cyclic nonapeptide that binds to V2 receptors in kidney collecting ducts, inserting aquaporin-2 channels for water reabsorption; V1 receptors in blood vessels cause vasoconstriction.

Vasopressin is a cyclic nonapeptide that binds to V2 receptors in kidney collecting ducts, inserting aquaporin-2 channels for water reabsorption; V1 receptors in blood vessels cause vasoconstriction.

Reported in research

Benefits

  • Treats diabetes insipidus
  • Increases water reabsorption in kidneys
  • Raises blood pressure in shock
  • Controls bleeding (varices)
  • Helps with a problem where you pee too much
  • Helps your kidneys keep more water in your body
  • Raises blood pressure when it drops too low
  • Helps stop certain kinds of bleeding

Context, not a prescription

Dosing

Typical range
2.5-10 units Every 2-6 hours (as needed) (Subcutaneous, Intramuscular)
Cycle length
Short-term or chronic (DI)

Safety

Side effects & contraindications

Possible side effects

  • Water intoxication
  • Hyponatremia
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Seizure (severe hyponatremia)
  • Cardiac ischemia
  • Mesenteric ischemia

Contraindications

  • Severe renal impairment
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Heart failure (fluid overload)

Research information, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed clinician before considering any peptide.

In depth

Full profile

What it does

You pee less, your blood pressure goes up, and your pee is more concentrated.

How it works

Vasopressin works like a water-saving switch. It tells your kidneys to keep water in your body instead of sending it to your bladder.

V2 spots in the kidney open little water doors. V1 spots in blood vessels make them squeeze. There are also V1a and V1b spots near a tiny gland in your brain.

What to expect

Starts working in about 15-30 minutes when given as a shot.

  • 15-30 minutes: You start to pee less.
  • 1-2 hours: It works the strongest now.
  • 4-6 hours: The effect fades away.

Good to know

  • Check your blood salt levels
  • Don't drink too much fluid
  • Use the smallest amount that works

Staying safe

  • Too much water in the body
  • Low salt levels
  • Headache
  • Feeling sick to your stomach

Avoid if you have:

  • People with very weak kidneys
  • People with high blood pressure that isn't controlled
  • People with a weak heart that can't handle extra fluid

Overview

Reduced urine output, increased blood pressure, concentrated urine.

How it works

Vasopressin works like a water conservation switch — it tells your kidneys to pull water back into your body instead of sending it to the bladder.

V2 receptor (kidney): aquaporin-2 insertion. V1 receptor (vascular): smooth muscle contraction. Also V1a and V1b for pituitary.

Onset & timeline

Within 15-30 minutes (injectable).

  • 15-30 minutes: Reduced urine output onset.
  • 1-2 hours: Peak antidiuretic effect.
  • 4-6 hours: Effect wears off.

Getting the most from it

  • Monitor serum sodium
  • Limit fluid intake
  • Lowest effective dose

Common side effects

  • Water intoxication
  • Hyponatremia
  • Headache
  • Nausea

Mechanism of action

Vasopressin is a cyclic nonapeptide that binds to V2 receptors in kidney collecting ducts, inserting aquaporin-2 channels for water reabsorption; V1 receptors in blood vessels cause vasoconstriction.

V2 receptor (kidney): aquaporin-2 insertion. V1 receptor (vascular): smooth muscle contraction. Also V1a and V1b for pituitary.

Pharmacodynamics

Within 15-30 minutes (injectable).

Reduced urine output, increased blood pressure, concentrated urine.

Timeline

  • 15-30 minutes: Reduced urine output onset.
  • 1-2 hours: Peak antidiuretic effect.
  • 4-6 hours: Effect wears off.

Comparisons

  • Vasopressin — effectiveness High, safety Fair, cost $$, Medium to use
  • Desmopressin — effectiveness High, safety Good, cost $$, Easy to use

Adverse effects

Common:

  • Water intoxication
  • Hyponatremia
  • Headache
  • Nausea

Rare:

  • Seizure (severe hyponatremia)
  • Cardiac ischemia
  • Mesenteric ischemia

Contraindications & risk mitigation

Contraindicated in:

  • Severe renal impairment
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Heart failure (fluid overload)
  • Monitor serum sodium
  • Limit fluid intake
  • Lowest effective dose

Qué hace

Orinas menos, tu presión arterial sube y tu orina está más concentrada.

Cómo funciona

La vasopresina funciona como un interruptor para ahorrar agua. Le dice a tus riñones que retengan el agua en tu cuerpo en lugar de enviarla a tu vejiga.

Los puntos V2 en el riñón abren pequeñas puertas de agua. Los puntos V1 en los vasos sanguíneos los hacen contraerse. También hay puntos V1a y V1b cerca de una glándula pequeña en tu cerebro.

Qué esperar

Empieza a funcionar en unos 15-30 minutos cuando se administra como inyección.

  • 15-30 minutos: Empiezas a orinar menos.
  • 1-2 horas: Su efecto es más fuerte ahora.
  • 4-6 horas: El efecto se desvanece.

Bueno saber

  • Revisa los niveles de sal en la sangre
  • No bebas demasiados líquidos
  • Usa la dosis más pequeña que funcione

Manteniéndose seguro

  • Exceso de agua en el cuerpo
  • Niveles bajos de sal
  • Dolor de cabeza
  • Molestias estomacales

Evitar si tienes:

  • Personas con riñones muy débiles
  • Personas con presión arterial alta no controlada
  • Personas con un corazón débil que no tolera líquidos extra

Descripción general

Disminución del volumen de orina, aumento de la presión arterial, orina concentrada.

Cómo funciona

La vasopresina funciona como un interruptor de conservación de agua: le dice a los riñones que devuelvan el agua al cuerpo en lugar de enviarla a la vejiga.

Receptor V2 (riñón): inserción de acuaporina-2. Receptor V1 (vascular): contracción del músculo liso. También V1a y V1b para la hipófisis.

Inicio y cronología

En 15-30 minutos (inyectable).

  • 15-30 minutos: Inicio de la disminución del volumen de orina.
  • 1-2 horas: Efecto antidiurético máximo.
  • 4-6 horas: El efecto desaparece.

Cómo aprovecharlo al máximo

  • Monitorear sodio sérico
  • Limitar la ingesta de líquidos
  • Dosis efectiva más baja

Efectos secundarios comunes

  • Intoxicación por agua
  • Hiponatremia
  • Dolor de cabeza
  • Náuseas

Mecanismo de acción

La vasopresina es un nonapéptido cíclico que se une a los receptores V2 en los túbulos colectores renales, insertando canales de acuaporina-2 para la reabsorción de agua; los receptores V1 en los vasos sanguíneos causan vasoconstricción.

Receptor V2 (riñón): inserción de acuaporina-2. Receptor V1 (vascular): contracción del músculo liso. También V1a y V1b para la hipófisis.

Farmacodinamia

En 15-30 minutos (inyectable).

Disminución del volumen de orina, aumento de la presión arterial, orina concentrada.

Cronología

  • 15-30 minutos: Inicio de la disminución del volumen de orina.
  • 1-2 horas: Efecto antidiurético máximo.
  • 4-6 horas: El efecto desaparece.

Comparaciones

  • Vasopresina — efectividad Alta, seguridad Aceptable, costo $$, Media de usar
  • Desmopresina — efectividad Alta, seguridad Buena, costo $$, Fácil de usar

Efectos adversos

Comunes:

  • Intoxicación por agua
  • Hiponatremia
  • Dolor de cabeza
  • Náuseas

Raros:

  • Convulsiones (hiponatremia grave)
  • Isquemia cardíaca
  • Isquemia mesentérica

Contraindicaciones y mitigación de riesgos

Contraindicado en:

  • Insuficiencia renal grave
  • Hipertensión no controlada
  • Insuficiencia cardíaca (sobrecarga de líquidos)
  • Monitorear sodio sérico
  • Limitar la ingesta de líquidos
  • Dosis efectiva más baja

Reference data

Specifications

Route
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular
Cycle length
Short-term or chronic (DI)

FAQ

Common questions

Is vasopressin the same as ADH?

Yes, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is vasopressin.

Can it cause hyponatremia?

Yes, water retention without sodium leads to low sodium (dangerous).

What is the evidence level?

This compound is classified as Animal data. Most data comes from preclinical animal studies. Human clinical trial evidence is limited or absent.

Research

Research & sources

Animal data

Current evidence for Vasopressin (ADH analog) is rated as Animal data. Research is based primarily on animal models.

  1. 1. Vasopressin in diabetes insipidus (2020) — DOI:10.4158/EP-2019-0546
  2. 2. Vasopressin pharmacology (2008) — DOI:10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.03.014
  3. 3. Vasopressin in diabetes insipidus (2020)
  4. 4. Vasopressin pharmacology (2008)