THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES-INSIPIDUS IN ADULTS

The management of patients with diabetes insipidus can be confusing be cause of the disorder's variable pathophysiology, the numerous medicat ions used, and the possible complications related to their use. Nevert heless, the primary care physician, rather than the subspecialist, wil l increasingly be called on to manage patients with such relatively un common conditions in the future. Ifa few basic facts and principles ar e kept in mind, the care of most patients with diabetes insipidus can be successful. A comprehensive, practical review of the short- and lon g-term therapy for patients with diabetes insipidus, including central diabetes insipidus, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and the ''excessi ve vasopressinase syndrome,'' is presented. The use of single and mult idrug regimens, and of the newly marketed oral formulation of desmopre ssin acetate, is described for common clinical settings.