The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice that there is currently a shortage of Desmopressin Acetate (DDAVP), Intravenous Formulation, due to increased demand and manufacturing delays. Three pharmaceutical companies currently distribute and market this product in the US.  Hospira reports that it will not have product available until early December 2010, Sanofi-Aventis projects availability in mid-November 2010, and Teva Pharmaceuticals estimates availability in January 2011.

This shortage only affects the intravenous form of DDAVP and does not affect the nasal spray formulation of DDAVP (Stimate), which is distributed by CSL Behring.

For more information regarding supply you can contact Hospira at 877-946-7747 or www.hospira.com,  Sanofi Aventis at 800-981-2491 or www.sanofi-aventis.us, and Teva Pharmaceuticals at 800-545-8800 or http://www.tevausa.com/.

PHYSICIANS: Please distribute this information to all providers in your area who treat patients with hemophilia.

CHAPTERS: Please distribute this information to your membership.

Please sign up for the Patient Notification System (PNS) to be notified directly about the latest recall or withdrawal of recombinant and plasma products. The system is confidential and time sensitive. It is administered by an independent third-party organization and is free of charge. To enroll in the PNS online, please go to: http://www.patientnotificationsystem.org

This material is provided for your general information only. NHF does not give medical advice or engage in the practice of medicine. NHF under no circumstances recommends treatment for specific individuals and in all cases recommend that you consult your physician or local hemophilia treatment center before pursuing any course of treatment.