hours. further, argipressins act on v1a, v1b, and v2 receptors which consequently lead to higher egfr and lower vascular resistance in the lungs. a number of injectable arginine vasopressins are currently in clinical use in the united states and in europe. pharmacokinetics vasopressin is administered through an intravenous device, intramuscular injection or a subcutaneous injection. the duration of action depends on the mode of administration and ranges from thirty minutes to two hours. it has a half life of ten to twenty minutes. it is widely distributed throughout the body and remains in the extracellular fluid. it is degraded by the liver and excreted through the kidneys. arginin vasopressins for use in septic shock are intended for intravenous use only. side effects the most common side effects during treatment with vasopressin are dizziness, angina, chest pain, abdominal cramps, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, trembling, fever, water intoxication, pounding sensation in the head, diarrhoea, sweating, paleness, and flatulence. the most severe adverse reactions are myocardial infarction and hypersensitivity. contraindications the use of lysine vasopressin is contraindicated in the presence of hypersensitivity to beef or pork proteins, increased bun and chronic kidney failure. it is recommended that it be cautiously used in instances of perioperative polyuria, sensitivity to the drug, asthma, seizures, heart failure, a comatose state, migraine headaches, and cardiovascular disease. interactions alcohol - may lower the antidiuretic effect carbamazepine, chloropropamide, clofibrate, tricyclic antidepressants and fludrocortisone may raise the diuretic effect lithium, demeclocycline, heparin or norepinephrine may lower the antidiuretic effect vasopressor effect may be higher with the concurrent use of ganglionic blocking medications deficiency decreased avp release (neurogenic — i.e. due to alcohol intoxication or tumour) or decreased renal sensitivity to avp (nephrogenic, i.e. by mutation of v2 receptor or aqp) leads to diabetes insipidus, a condition featuring hypernatremia (increased blood sodium concentration), polyuria (excess urine production), and polydipsia (thirst). excess main article: syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (siadh) in turn can be caused by a number of problems. some forms of cancer can cause siadh, particularly small cell lung carcinoma but also a number of other tumors. a variety of diseases affecting the brain or the lung (infections, bleeding) can be the driver behind siadh. a number of drugs have been associated with siadh, such as certain antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants), the anticonvulsant carbamazepine, oxytocin (used to induce and stimulate labor), and the chemotherapy drug vincristine. it has also been associated with fluoroquinolones (including ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin). finally, it can occur without a clear explanation. hyponatremia can be treated pharmaceutically through the use of vasopressin receptor antagonists. history vasopressin was elucidated and synthesized for the first time by vincent du vigneaud. animal studies evidence for an effect of avp on monogamy vs polygamy comes from experimental studies in several species, which indicate that the precise distribution of vasopressin and vasopressin receptors in the brain is associated with species-typical patterns of social behavior. in particular, there are consistent differences between monogamous species and polygamous species in the distribution of avp receptors, and sometimes in the distribution of vasopressin-containing axons, even when closely related species are compared. human studies vasopressin has shown nootropic effects on pain perception and cognitive function. vasopressin also plays a role in autism, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.