If you have a certain kind of urinary frequency, your doctor might suggest Nocdurna as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription drug used in adults to treat nocturia (frequent urination at night) that wakes you up two or more times nightly.
Nocdurna comes as a sublingual tablet, which means you dissolve it under your tongue. It contains the active ingredient desmopressin acetate. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Nocdurna is a hormone and belongs to a group of drugs called antidiuretics, which help stop excess urination.
This article describes the dosages of Nocdurna, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Nocdurna, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Nocdurna’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drugmaker. But when using Nocdurna, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Read more about Nocdurna’s usual dosages below.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Nocdurna’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.
| Nocdurna’s form | Nocdurna’s strengths | Nocdurna’s dosage and administration |
| sublingual tablets you dissolve under your tongue | • 27.7 micrograms (mcg) • 55.3 mcg | tablet is dissolved under the tongue once daily 1 hour before bed • female* dose: 27.7 mcg • male* dose: 55.3 mcg |
* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
What is Nocdurna’s form?
Nocdurna comes as a sublingual tablet (which means you dissolve it under your tongue).
What strengths does Nocdurna come in?
Nocdurna comes in two strengths:
- 27.7 mcg desmopressin acetate (equal to 25 mcg desmopressin)
- 55.3 mcg desmopressin acetate (equal to 50 mcg desmopressin)
What are the usual dosages of Nocdurna?
Your doctor will likely start you on the usual dose of Nocdurna. The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for nocturia
You’ll likely take one Nocdurna sublingual tablet once daily an hour before you go to bed. The timing of the dose is important to help you sleep through the night. You’ll keep the tablet under your tongue until it completely dissolves. You’ll take it without water.
The Nocdurna dose for females* is a 27.7 mcg tablet, and the dose for males* is a 55.3 mcg tablet.
* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Is Nocdurna used long term?
Yes, Nocdurna is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may pause your dose temporarily if there are abnormal levels of sodium (salt) in your blood. Talk with your doctor about how often you’ll need blood tests during your Nocdurna treatment.
If you have decreased kidney function or are ages 65 years and above, your doctor may choose a different treatment for your condition. Talk with them about whether Nocdurna is safe for you.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Nocdurna’s dosage.
Is Nocdurna’s dosage based on weight?
No, Nocdurna’s dosage is not based on weight. Nocdurna has one dose for males* and another for females*. The difference in dosage is based on research that showed the risk of hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) was greater in females who took a higher dose. (See the boxed warning at the beginning of this article.)
* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Is Nocdurna used for anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage?
No, Nocdurna is not used for anxiety. If you feel anxious when going to sleep because you expect to wake up to urinate, that’s understandable. If that’s a main cause of your anxiety, Nocdurna may help since it’s used to treat frequent nighttime urination.
If you experience anxiety from other causes, talk with your doctor about available treatment options.
How long does it take for my Nocdurna dose to start working?
Nocdurna takes about half an hour to start working, which is why you take it an hour before going to bed.
The usual Nocdurna dosing frequency is once per day. An hour before you go to sleep, remove the Nocdurna tablet from the blister pack and place it under your tongue. Let it dissolve completely. (Nocdurna is usually taken without water.)
You’ll want to limit how much liquid you drink from about 1 hour before taking Nocdurna to 8 hours after. This helps the drug work and also helps you avoid side effects like hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels). You’ll also likely be instructed to urinate right before you go to sleep.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Nocdurna, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening the blister pack, let your pharmacist know. They may have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
The dosage of Nocdurna you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat
- your age
- your blood sodium levels
- whether you’re male* or female*
- other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” above)
* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
If you miss a dose but haven’t yet gone to bed, you can still take it. If you miss a dose and don’t realize it until the next day, just take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at once.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Nocdurna on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Nocdurna than your doctor prescribes as this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- headache
- drowsiness
- confusion
- fluid retention, which can lead to rapid (water) weight gain
- hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels)
- nausea
What to do in case you take too much Nocdurna
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Nocdurna. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room. If you have very low sodium levels, you’ll need to be treated right away.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Nocdurna for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Nocdurna without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Nocdurna exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask them include:
- Will my Nocdurna dosage depend on my blood sodium levels?
- How long will it take the Nocdurna tablet to dissolve under my tongue?
- Am I less likely to have side effects such as dry mouth if I take a lower dose of the drug?
- How much do I need to limit my fluid intake in the hour before I take my dose?
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.