ATC Group: H01BA Vasopressin and analogues

The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position of H01BA in the ATC hierarchy

Level Code Title
1 H Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. Sex hormones and insulins
2 H01 Pituitary and hypothalamic hormones and analogues
3 H01B Posterior pituitary lobe hormones
4 H01BA Vasopressin and analogues

Group H01BA contents

Code Title
H01BA01 Vasopressin
H01BA02 Desmopressin
H01BA03 Lypressin
H01BA04 Terlipressin
H01BA05 Ornipressin

Active ingredients in H01BA

Active Ingredient Description
Desmopressin

Desmopressin is a structural analogue of vasopressin in which the antidiuretic activity has been enhanced by the order of 10, while the vasopressor effect has been reduced by the order of 1500. The clinical advantage of this highly changed ratio of antidiuretic to vasopressor effect is that clinically active antidiuretic doses are far below the threshold for a vasopressor effect.

Ornipressin
Terlipressin

Terlipressin inhibits portal hypertension with simultaneous reduction of blood circulation in portal vessels. Terlipressin contracts smooth oesophageal muscle with consecutive compression of oesophageal varices.

Vasopressin

The antidiuretic action of vasopressin is ascribed to increase in reabsorption of water by the renal tubules. Vasopressin can cause contraction of smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, urinary bladder and all parts of the vascular bed, especially the capillaries, small arterioles and venules with less effect on the smooth musculature of the large veins. The direct effect on the contractile elements is neither antagonised by adrenergic blocking agents nor prevented by vascular denervation.

Related product monographs

Title Information Source Document Type  
DDAVP DESMOPRESSIN Solution for injection Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
DDAVP MELT Oral lyophilisate Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
DESMOSPRAY Nasal spray, solution Health Products Regulatory Authority (IE) MPI, EU: SmPC
DESMOTABS Tablet Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
HAEMOPRESSIN Powder and solvent for solution for injection Health Products Regulatory Authority (IE) MPI, EU: SmPC
NOCDURNA Orally disintegrating tablet Health Products and Food Branch (CA) MPI, CA: SPM
OCTIM Nasal spray Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
OCTOSTIM Solution for injection Health Products and Food Branch (CA) MPI, CA: SPM
VARIQUEL Solution for injection Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC