Advantage of desmopressin over vasopressin in the treatment of diabetes insipidus is that desmopressin:
Desmopressin is selective agonist of V2 receptors of vasopressin. V2 receptors are present in kidney and on endothelium whereas V1 receptors are present in blood vessels. Therefore, -Desmopressin is less likely to cause vasoconstriction than vasopressin. -Desmopressin has similar risk of causing hyponatremia due to retention of water. -Desmopressin can release of factor VIII and vWF similar to vasopressin. -Both desmopressin and vasopressin can provide similar relief of excessive thirst.