Vasopressin
Also known as: Vasostrict, Arginine vasopressin, AVP, Antidiuretic hormone
The natural antidiuretic hormone, FDA-approved as Vasostrict (2014) to raise blood pressure in vasodilatory shock. Hospital IV medication.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Vasopressin is the 9-amino-acid hormone released by the posterior pituitary. At V1a receptors on vascular smooth muscle it causes vasoconstriction and raises blood pressure; at V2 receptors in the kidney it promotes water reabsorption; and V1b receptors in the pituitary modulate ACTH release. In septic and other vasodilatory shock, circulating vasopressin levels are often inappropriately low, and an infusion restores vascular tone while allowing lower catecholamine doses.
- Half-life
- ~10-20 minutes
- Administration Routes
- Intravenous
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Raises blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines
- Spares norepinephrine requirements in septic shock
- Historically used for central diabetes insipidus and variceal bleeding (largely replaced by analogs)
Potential Side Effects
- Ischemia of the gut, fingers, toes or heart
- Arrhythmias and reduced cardiac output
- Hyponatremia
- Skin necrosis with extravasation
Common Dosing
Given only in hospital, usually in the ICU, as a continuous intravenous infusion through a central line, titrated by clinicians to blood pressure and tapered as the patient stabilizes.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Known allergy to vasopressin or product components (e.g., chlorobutanol in some formulations)
- Use with caution in coronary artery disease and vascular disease
No documented stacking partners for Vasopressin yet.