[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › Vasopressin and its analogues

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/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)

## Key points

- Desmopressin is V2-selective: strong antidiuretic effect with little pressor action.
- The key danger of V2 agonists is water retention with hyponatraemia, which can cause seizures.
- Desmopressin corrects central diabetes insipidus but not the nephrogenic form, where the kidney does not respond.
- Vasopressin is a second vasopressor in vasodilatory shock that persists despite fluids and catecholamines.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Desmopressin** A synthetic antidiuretic hormone that makes the kidney hold water. Used for central diabetes insipidus, bedwetting and… Vasopressin V2 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/desmopressin/)
- [**Vasopressin** The natural antidiuretic hormone given by IV infusion. In shock that persists despite fluids and noradrenaline it… Vasopressin V1a receptor (and V2 in the kidney)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/vasopressin/)
- [**Terlipressin** A long-acting vasopressin prodrug given IV. It constricts gut vessels and improves kidney blood flow in hepatorenal… Vasopressin V1a receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/terlipressin/)

## 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.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/classes/vasopressin-and-its-analogues/)

[← All of pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/)

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](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=539d7da2-72b8-45f9-836c-4e3351dd488e) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [DailyMed - VASOPRESSIN injection, solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cce1a220-3178-49ec-b046-f0cb134cf051) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), 16.ª ed., cap. 37 (McGraw Hill, 2025).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vasopressin-and-its-analogues/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vasopressin-and-its-analogues/