Hormonal · Dosing reference

Vasopressin dosage

Dosing as the FDA label states it, how long trials ran, and the arithmetic for working with vials.

FDA-approvedAHuman trial evidenceFDA label

Full research page Cycle-length evidence Compare Prefer Amiravo on Google

Regulatory status: FDA-approved
Human amounts: Septic shock: start 0.01 units/minute (range 0.01-0.07); post-cardiotomy shock: start 0.03 units/minute (range 0.03-0.1); titrate by 0.005 units/minute every 10-15 minutes (Vasostrict label)
Route studied: Intravenous infusion
Frequency: Continuous infusion
Half-life: 10 minutes or less at shock infusion rates
Evidence grade: Grade A · Human trial evidence
Vial sizes on the market: Not recorded
Other forms seen: —

What Vasopressin is

Vasopressin (8-L-arginine vasopressin) is a nine-residue cyclic peptide hormone that the FDA has approved as Vasostrict, an intravenous infusion to raise blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.

Vasopressin binds V1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle, coupled to the Gq/11-phospholipase C pathway, releasing intracellular calcium and causing vasoconstriction; it stimulates antidiuresis via adenylyl-cyclase-coupled V2 receptors ^1. Pharmacodynamics (label) Constricts splanchnic, renal and cutaneous beds; can also cause vasodilation in some beds via V2, V3, oxytocin and P2 receptors ^1. In vasodilatory shock… How it works →

Key evidence

Russell et al., N Engl J Med (VASST) · 2008 · Humans (778 adults with septic shock on norepinephrine)
28-day mortality 35.4% versus 39.3% (P = 0.26); serious adverse events 10.3% versus 10.5%; lower mortality in the less-severe stratum (26.5% vs 35.7%, P = 0.05) without significant heterogeneity ^2. ²
Gordon et al., JAMA (VANISH) · 2016 · Humans (409 adults with septic shock)
Survivors without kidney failure 57.0% versus 59.2% with norepinephrine; less renal replacement therapy with vasopressin (25.4% vs 35.3%); no significant mortality difference ^3. ³
Vasostrict prescribing information, Section 14 · 2026 · Humans (septic and post-cardiotomy vasodilatory shock)
Increases in systolic and mean blood pressure were observed in 7 septic-shock and 8 post-cardiotomy studies ^1. ¹

All studies on the research page

Dosing as stated on the FDA label

Post-cardiotomy shock (Vasostrict): initial 0.03 units/minute intravenously; labeled range 0.03 to 0.1 units/minute ^1.
Septic shock (Vasostrict): initial 0.01 units/minute intravenously; labeled range 0.01 to 0.07 units/minute ^1.
The label advises titrating up by 0.005 units/minute at 10- to 15-minute intervals to target blood pressure, notes limited data above 0.1 (post-cardiotomy) and 0.07 (septic) units/minute, and, after 8 hours at target without catecholamines, tapering by 0.005 units/minute every hour as tolerated ^1.
Vial contents of 20 units/mL are diluted to 0.1 or 1 unit/mL before intravenous use; the premixed 50 mL and 100 mL presentations do not require dilution. Preparation details are in the label and not reproduced here ^1.

How long did human studies run?

No human study durations are recorded for Vasopressin.

Cycle-length evidence for Vasopressin

Side effects reported in studies

Decreased cardiac index / worsening cardiac function
Not quantified (label warning) · Adults with vasodilatory shock ¹
Reversible diabetes insipidus after discontinuation
Postmarketing; not quantified · Same ¹
Mesenteric, digital, skin and myocardial ischemia
Literature reports; frequency cannot be estimated · Same ¹
Bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, right heart failure
Literature reports; frequency cannot be estimated · Same ¹
Hyponatremia, decreased platelets, increased bilirubin, acute renal insufficiency
Literature reports; frequency cannot be estimated · Same ¹
Serious adverse events (trial)
10.3% vasopressin versus 10.5% norepinephrine · VASST, 778 adults with septic shock ²

Full adverse-event data

Supplies and handling

Lyophilized vial
Sealed vial with the freeze-dried cake. Check the label, lot and the certificate of analysis before opening.
Sterile diluent
The diluent named on the product documentation. Bacteriostatic water contains benzyl alcohol; sterile water does not.
Graduated syringes
Sized to the volume being measured. U-100 insulin syringes are graduated in units where 100 units = 1 mL.
Alcohol prep pads
For wiping vial stoppers before each puncture.
Nitrile gloves
Clean gloves for aseptic handling.
Sharps container
Puncture-resistant container for used needles.

Step-by-step reconstitution guide Storage and transport accessories

Storage

Follow the current Vasostrict label for vial storage; the label allows unopened vials up to 12 months at room temperature after removal from refrigeration, within the labeled shelf life, and sets discard times for diluted solutions ^1.

Lyophilized (unmixed) vials: typically stored cold and dry, away from light, as the documentation directs. Many are stable longer frozen.
Reconstituted vials: typically refrigerated (about 2–8 °C), protected from light and not frozen.
Bacteriostatic water contains benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth in multi-use vials; sterile water has no preservative.

Handling mistakes and troubleshooting

Added the wrong volume of diluent: The concentration changes, not the amount of compound in the vial. Recalculate with the volume actually added and relabel the vial.
Shook the vial and it foamed: Let it settle in the refrigerator. Foam is a sign of agitation; some peptides aggregate when shaken. Note it on the label.
The solution is cloudy or has particles: Do not use it. Cloudiness can indicate incomplete dissolution, contamination or degradation. Record the lot and contact the supplier with the certificate of analysis.
The powder cake looks melted or shrunken before reconstitution: This can indicate the vial was exposed to heat or moisture. Record the lot and condition on arrival.
Liquid sprayed back when the needle was removed: Pressure built up in the vial. Withdraw a small volume of air while adding diluent to keep pressure neutral.

Regulatory status

Status: FDA-approved as Vasostrict (initial U.S. approval 2014) to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines; label reviewed from the May 20, 2026 DailyMed version ^1.
United States (FDA): FDA-approved as Vasostrict (initial U.S. approval 2014) for vasodilatory shock; label current in DailyMed as of May 20, 2026 ^1.
Sport (WADA): Vasopressin is not named in the 2026 Prohibited List text reviewed; desmopressin, a vasopressin analog, is listed under S5 (diuretics and masking agents), and S5 also covers substances with similar chemical structure or biological effect, so status should be confirmed with the relevant anti-doping organization ^4.

Status varies by country and changes over time. How we describe regulatory status.

Vasopressin compared with related compounds

Compound	Status	Evidence	Human amounts	Half-life
Vasopressin	FDA-approved	A	FDA label	10 minutes or less at shock infusion rat
Oxytocin	FDA-approved	A	FDA label	The Pitocin label states a plasma half-l
PEA	Not approved — research use only	A	None established	—
Kisspeptin-54	Not approved — research use only	B	None established	About 28 minutes (intravenous, healthy m
Triptorelin	FDA-approved	A	FDA label	Terminal half-life about 3 hours after I
Apelin-13	Not approved — research use only	B	None established	Not located as a numeric value in the so

Frequently asked questions

What doses of Vasopressin have been studied in humans?

Vasopressin is FDA-approved, so the label states the dosing for the approved product. This page quotes it, with citations. It does not apply to research-grade material.

Is there an established Vasopressin cycle length?

No. We found no human studies that report treatment duration for Vasopressin.

How much bacteriostatic water should be added to a Vasopressin vial?

There is no compound-specific volume. The diluent volume only sets the concentration: concentration = mass in the vial ÷ volume added (for example, 10 mg in 2 mL gives 5 mg/mL). The calculator on this page shows the arithmetic for any combination.

How many units is a given amount on an insulin syringe?

On a U-100 syringe, 100 units = 1 mL. Units for an amount = amount ÷ (concentration per unit). The calculator converts any amount you enter at the concentration you choose; a unit is a volume mark, not an amount of compound.

What is the half-life of Vasopressin?

10 minutes or less at shock infusion rates

Is Vasopressin FDA-approved?

FDA-approved. FDA-approved as Vasostrict (initial U.S. approval 2014) to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines; label reviewed from the May 20, 2026 DailyMed version ^1.

References

VASOSTRICT (vasopressin) injection, prescribing information (DailyMed SPL version 49, published May 20, 2026) FDA label (DailyMed). 2026
Vasopressin versus norepinephrine infusion in patients with septic shock N Engl J Med. 2008
Effect of Early Vasopressin vs Norepinephrine on Kidney Failure in Patients With Septic Shock: The VANISH Randomized Clinical Trial JAMA. 2016
Tractatenblad 2026 Nr. 25: Anti-doping convention (ETS No. 135), amendment to the appendix - The 2026 Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Code (English text; entry into force 1 January 2026) Tractatenblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (official government publication). 2026
PubChem compound record for argipressin (arginine vasopressin; CID 644077) PubChem. 2026

Last reviewed October 24, 2026 by the Amiravo editorial team. Editorial policy · Report an error