Pharmacology · Class
Vasopressin and its analogues !
Antidiuretic hormone and its synthetic relatives. Through V2 receptors they hold water in the kidney; through V1 receptors they narrow vessels.
Updated 2026-11-01
What they are
Peptides related to arginine vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). Desmopressin acts mainly on renal V2 receptors and is used for central diabetes insipidus, bedwetting and some bleeding disorders. Vasopressin and terlipressin act on vascular V1 receptors and are used for vasodilatory shock and hepatorenal syndrome.
Mechanism of action
V1a receptors on vascular smooth muscle couple to Gq: phospholipase C raises intracellular calcium and the vessel contracts. V2 receptors in the collecting duct couple to Gs: cAMP rises and aquaporin-2 channels are inserted into the luminal membrane, so water is reabsorbed and urine is concentrated. V2 stimulation also releases von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from the endothelium.
Target: Vasopressin receptors V1a (vessels) and V2 (kidney collecting duct)
Drugs in this class
- DesmopressinA synthetic antidiuretic hormone that makes the kidney hold water. Used for central diabetes insipidus, bedwetting and…Vasopressin V2 receptor
- VasopressinThe natural antidiuretic hormone given by IV infusion. In shock that persists despite fluids and noradrenaline it…Vasopressin V1a receptor (and V2 in the kidney)
- TerlipressinA long-acting vasopressin prodrug given IV. It constricts gut vessels and improves kidney blood flow in hepatorenal…Vasopressin V1a receptor
Others in the class
- Selepressin
- Lypressin
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which second messenger mediates the antidiuretic effect of the V2 receptor?
cAMP, through Gs; it drives aquaporin-2 channels into the luminal membrane of collecting duct cells.
How do you tell central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus with desmopressin?
In central DI the urine concentrates after desmopressin; in nephrogenic DI it barely changes because the kidney does not respond to the hormone.
Which receptor explains the vasoconstriction caused by vasopressin?
The V1a receptor on vascular smooth muscle, coupled to Gq and a rise in intracellular calcium.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: DailyMed - DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE injection, solution (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); DailyMed - VASOPRESSIN injection, solution (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), 16.ª ed., cap. 37 (McGraw Hill, 2025).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.