Quick answer: what is Vasopressin?
Vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is the body's natural peptide that controls water balance and constricts blood vessels.
Quick facts
- Class
- Endogenous nonapeptide hormone (posterior pituitary)
- Brand names
- Vasostrict, Pitressin (as a drug)
- Natural role
- Water retention (V2) and vasoconstriction (V1)
- Clinical use
- Vasodilatory / septic shock; diabetes insipidus
- Status
- Endogenous hormone; the injectable drug is FDA-approved
- Source
- Posterior pituitary gland
- Receptors
- V1 (vessels), V2 (kidney)
- Drug use
- IV in shock (Vasostrict)
Key takeaways
- Through kidney V2 receptors it conserves water; through blood-vessel V1 receptors it raises blood pressure.
- As a medicine, a synthetic form is infused intravenously to support blood pressure in septic and other vasodilatory shock.
- The analog desmopressin was designed to keep its water effect while removing its pressor effect.
Overview
Vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a natural peptide hormone released by the posterior pituitary in response to dehydration or falling blood pressure. Its name captures its dual job: pressing on blood vessels (vaso-pressin) and pressing the kidneys to conserve water.[2]
Beyond its physiology, a synthetic form is an important hospital medicine, used to support blood pressure in critically ill patients.[1]
How it works
Vasopressin acts on two main receptors. Through V2 receptors in the kidney it drives water reabsorption, concentrating the urine and defending the body's water content. Through V1 receptors on blood-vessel walls it causes vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure.[2]
This is exactly the profile that desmopressin was engineered to split apart — keeping the water effect while dropping the pressor effect. In critical care, by contrast, vasopressin's V1 vasoconstriction is the desired action.
Clinical uses & evidence
Vasodilatory and septic shock
In septic shock, where blood vessels lose their tone, intravenous vasopressin is used alongside catecholamines like norepinephrine to restore blood pressure, and it can reduce the dose of other vasopressors needed.[1][4] Its precise place in therapy continues to be studied.
Water-balance disorders
As the hormone that is deficient in central diabetes insipidus, vasopressin biology underlies that condition, though the analog desmopressin is generally preferred for treatment. Vasopressin physiology is also central to understanding hyponatremia.[3]
Forms & how it's given
As a medicine, vasopressin is given by continuous intravenous infusion in an intensive-care setting, carefully titrated by clinicians to blood-pressure targets. This is a hospital-administered drug, not a self-administered one, and no consumer dosing is applicable.
Safety & legal status
Because it constricts blood vessels broadly, vasopressin can reduce blood flow to the heart, gut, and extremities, and it can cause excessive water retention and low sodium. It is used only under intensive monitoring. The natural hormone is endogenous; the injectable product is an FDA-approved, prescription-only critical-care medicine.
Frequently asked questions
What is vasopressin?
Vasopressin is a natural peptide hormone, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), released by the posterior pituitary. It conserves body water by acting on the kidney and raises blood pressure by constricting blood vessels, defending the body against dehydration and low blood pressure.
What is vasopressin used for as a drug?
As an intravenous medicine, vasopressin is used in intensive care to raise blood pressure in septic shock and other vasodilatory shock, often alongside norepinephrine, where it can reduce the dose of other vasopressors needed. It is a hospital-administered drug.
What is the difference between vasopressin and ADH?
They are the same molecule — 'antidiuretic hormone' (ADH) describes its water-conserving role, while 'vasopressin' emphasizes its blood-vessel-constricting role. The full name arginine vasopressin (AVP) refers to the specific human form.
Is vasopressin FDA-approved?
Vasopressin itself is a natural hormone, but the injectable drug form (for example Vasostrict) is an FDA-approved, prescription-only critical-care medicine. It is given by continuous infusion under intensive monitoring, not self-administered.
References
Each source links to its original record — peer-reviewed studies, regulator pages, or reference texts, labelled by type. We summarize findings neutrally; a citation is a reference, not an endorsement, and not a claim that its authors reviewed this page.
- Lajoye Q, Orieux A, Boyer A, et al. Vasopressin and its analogues in patients with septic shock: holy Grail or unfulfilled promise? Crit Care. 2025. Peer-reviewed study
- Bauer SR, Lam SW. Arginine vasopressin for the treatment of septic shock in adults. Pharmacotherapy. 2010. Peer-reviewed study
- Hoorn EJ, Zietse R. Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyponatremia: Compilation of the Guidelines. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017. Peer-reviewed study
- Ukor IF, Walley KR. Vasopressin in Vasodilatory Shock. Crit Care Clin. 2019. Peer-reviewed study