Diabetes Insipidus: Treatments

How is diabetes insipidus treated?

Mild cases of diabetes insipidus may not require medical treatment, or they may require that you drink extra water during the day. In more serious cases of diabetes insipidus, the treatment depends on the type of diabetes insipidus.

Treatment of central and gestational diabetes insipidus

Gestational diabetes insipidus only occurs during pregnancy and will resolve after birth. During pregnancy, artificial vasopressin can be taken. Central diabetes insipidus is also generally treated with medications designed to mimic vasopressin, such as:

• Desmopressin injection (DDAVP)
• Desmopressin nasal spray (Stimate, Minirin)
• Desmopressin pill (DDAVP)

Treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus cannot be treated with artificial vasopressin. Instead, treatments for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as indomethacin (Indocid, Indocin)
• Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide mixed with amiloride (Moduretic)
• Increasing fluid intake

Treatment of dipsogenic diabetes insipidus

Effective treatments for dipsogenic diabetes insipidus are not known. However, careful fluid regulation is important to prevent dehydration.

What you can do to improve your diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus prevents your body’s fluid regulation mechanisms from working properly. If you have diabetes insipidus, regulating or increasing your fluid intake may help with symptoms. Fluid intake should only be modified on the advice of a health care professional, as some medications may interfere with fluid regulation.

What are the potential complications of diabetes insipidus?

In most cases of diabetes insipidus, there are no complications. If enough fluids are consumed, diabetes insipidus is not severe or life threatening. However, losing too much fluid can have serious consequences. Complications of untreated or poorly controlled diabetes insipidus can be serious, especially if dehydration results. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of diabetes insipidus include:

• Dehydration (loss of body fluids and electrolytes, which can be life threatening when severe and untreated)
• Electrolyte imbalance