Prescription medication · Vasopressin Receptor Agonist
vasopressin
Also sold as Vasostrict. Vasopressin injection is used to increase blood pressure.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 4,135
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 9
- InteractionsFew interactions
- 2
- Recall records
What the data shows
vasopressin (Vasostrict) is a prescription Vasopressin Receptor Agonist, among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (4,135 FDA reports), with 9 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
vasopressin (Vasostrict) is a prescription Vasopressin Receptor Agonist. Vasopressin injection is used to increase blood pressure.
Vasopressin injection helps raise blood pressure in adults with shock. It is used when fluids and other medicines don't work well enough.
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What it does
Vasopressin injection is used to increase blood pressure.
Common side effects
Decreased heart output, Slow heart rate, Fast or irregular heart rate
Key warnings
Vasopressin can worsen heart function.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from vasopressin's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Vasopressin is a hormone that makes blood vessels get tighter. This helps to increase blood pressure. It can also affect how your kidneys handle water.
How to Take It
Vasopressin is given into your vein through an IV. The medicine will be diluted before it is given. The doctor will adjust the dose to reach the right blood pressure. After 8 hours, the doctor will slowly lower the dose.
This is a plain-language summary of vasopressin's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Vasopressin may cause the uterus to contract, which could be a problem during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if vasopressin passes into breast milk.
This is a plain-language summary of vasopressin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is given in a hospital, you don't have to worry about missing a dose. The doctor will decide when you get each dose.
This is a plain-language summary of vasopressin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). Do not freeze. Unopened vials can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 months.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 4,135 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for vasopressin, by number of reports
- Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
486 reports
- Shock due to heart problems
Shock due to heart problems
389 reports
- Blood infection
Blood infection
380 reports
- Failure of multiple organs
Failure of multiple organs
375 reports
- Condition getting worse
Condition getting worse
359 reports
- Poisoning from different substances
Poisoning from different substances
317 reports
- Sudden kidney damage
Sudden kidney damage
308 reports
- Throwing up
Throwing up
289 reports
- Stress
Stress
288 reports
- Stomach pain
Stomach pain
263 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for vasopressin each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where vasopressin sits
vasopressin has more FDA adverse-event reports than 23% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is vasopressin; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 4,135 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
4,135
Reports Mentioning Death
1,633
39.5% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
2,378
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | HYPOTENSION | 486 |
| 4 | CARDIOGENIC SHOCK | 389 |
| 5 | SEPSIS | 380 |
| 6 | MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME | 375 |
| 7 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 359 |
| 8 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 317 |
| 9 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 308 |
| 10 | STRESS | 290 |
| 11 | VOMITING | 289 |
| 12 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 263 |
| 13 | HYPONATRAEMIA | 260 |
| 14 | GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION | 259 |
| 15 | NAUSEA | 256 |
| 16 | ASCITES | 255 |
| 17 | ABDOMINAL DISTENSION | 250 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Vasopressin can worsen heart function. It can also cause a type of diabetes where you pee a lot. Your doctor will check your electrolytes and urine after you stop taking it.
Known Drug Interactions
Vasopressin receptor antagonists tolvaptan ↑ tolvaptan Co-administration contraindicated due to potential for dehydration, hypovolemia and hyperkalemia [see Contraindications (4) ] .
Mechanism: This combination causes tolvaptan levels to rise because the body cannot get rid of it fast enough. This can lead to severe fluid loss and high potassium levels.
What to do: These medications must not be used together. Ask your doctor for a safer alternative.
Vasopressin Receptor Antagonists Conivaptan Tolvaptan Not recommended during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.
Mechanism: Itraconazole slows down the process of clearing these medicines from your body. This can lead to higher amounts of the drug in your system and a higher risk of side effects.
What to do: Avoid using these medications while taking itraconazole and for two weeks after your treatment ends.
7.5 Drugs Suspected of Causing Diabetes Insipidus Use with drugs suspected of causing diabetes insipidus (e.g., demeclocycline, lithium, foscarnet, clozapine) may decrease the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasopressin injection.
Mechanism: Lithium can block the effects of vasopressin, making it less able to raise blood pressure or manage water levels.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor you more closely as lithium can make this treatment less effective.
7.4 Drugs Suspected of Causing SIADH Use with drugs suspected of causing SIADH (e.g., SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, chlorpropamide, enalapril, methyldopa, pentamidine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, felbamate) may increase the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasopressin injection.
Mechanism: Enalapril can cause the body to hold onto more water, which adds to the effects of vasopressin. This can lead to higher blood pressure and more water retention.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure and fluid levels closely if you take these together.
7.4 Drugs Suspected of Causing SIADH Use with drugs suspected of causing SIADH (e.g., SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, chlorpropamide, enalapril, methyldopa, pentamidine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, felbamate) may increase the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasopressin injection.
Mechanism: Haloperidol may cause the body to keep too much water, which makes the effects of vasopressin stronger. This can increase blood pressure and water buildup in the body.
What to do: Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your dose or monitor your response to treatment more often.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before taking vasopressin?
How will I know if the medicine is working?
Can vasopressin interact with other medicines?
What if I have side effects?
Will I need any tests while taking vasopressin?
Can vasopressin cause diabetes?
How long will I need to take vasopressin?
What is the strength of this medicine?
How is vasopressin given?
What should I avoid while taking vasopressin?
What are the common side effects of vasopressin?
Does vasopressin interact with other medications?
What drug class is vasopressin?
Is vasopressin safe during pregnancy?
Has vasopressin been recalled?
Active Recalls
Sub-potent drug: failure to maintain potency through the duration of the labeled expiration/beyond-use date.
IntegraDose Compounding Services LLC
Superpotent Drug: Assay from the 3-month and 6-month stability intervals exceeded the upper specification limit.
Par Sterile Products LLC
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What the FDA Data Shows for vasopressin
The FDA label for vasopressin (sold under brand names such as Vasostrict) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Vasopressin Receptor Agonist class. Vasopressin injection is used to increase blood pressure. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Decreased heart output, Slow heart rate, Fast or irregular heart rate.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,135 voluntary reports. The database also lists 9 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: February 15, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages