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Vasopressin

Vasopressin is a hospital-given intravenous (IV) medicine that raises blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.

Brand names VasostrictVasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 24 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 9, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 2
Vasopressin at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Vasopressin is a hospital IV medicine for adults in vasodilatory shock (dangerously low blood pressure from widened vessels) who stay low despite fluids and catecholamines such as norepinephrine; it tightens blood vessels and tells the kidneys to hold water, and it is a common add-on in intensive care, on the market since about 2012 and available as a generic. Most patients are sedated or too unwell to notice side effects, so the team tracks the heart, blood pressure and fluid balance, watching for a slowing heart rate and low sodium. Speak up about chest pain, belly pain, or fingers and toes turning cold, pale or discolored, which are signs of reduced blood flow.

Clinical pearls

  • After the drip stops, passing lots of very dilute urine can mean reversible diabetes insipidus, which the team can correct.
  • Make sure the team knows about lithium or clozapine, which can blunt vasopressin, or SSRI antidepressants, which can strengthen it.
  • Mention pregnancy right away, since vasopressin can trigger uterine contractions and may need higher doses later in pregnancy.
  • Point out any unusual bleeding or bruising, since low platelets and bleeding have been reported with vasopressin.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asInjection
Earliest FDA record2012
Companies listing it with the FDA16
FDA label last updatedApr 21, 2026
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient Information Guide A plain-language walkthrough of Vasopressin, written from its FDA label.

What Vasopressin Is Used For

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Vasopressin is used for one main purpose across its products.

  • Vasostrict (IV injection): raises blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock, such as after heart surgery or with sepsis, who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
  • Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride (IV): the same use.
  • Vasopressin injection (IV): the same use.

How Vasopressin Works

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Vasopressin binds to V1 receptors on blood vessel muscle, which makes the vessels tighten and raises blood pressure. It also acts on V2 receptors in the kidney, which reduces water loss in the urine.

In shock, it increases resistance in the blood vessels and lowers how much norepinephrine is needed.

Vasopressin Dosage

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Vasopressin is given by IV infusion in a hospital. It is not taken by mouth, and food does not matter.

  • The rate depends on the type of shock (after heart surgery or septic shock).
  • The team raises the rate in small steps every 10 to 15 minutes until the target blood pressure is reached.
  • Once blood pressure is stable, the infusion is tapered slowly.
  • Some products need dilution and others are ready to use.

Missed doses do not apply, because the team manages the infusion.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Vasopressin prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Post-cardiotomy shock
    • Recommended starting dose 0.03 units/minute
    • Titrate up by 0.005 units/minute at 10- to 15-minute intervals until the target blood pressure is reached
    • Dosing range 0.03 to 0.1 units/minute
    • After target blood pressure has been maintained for 8 hours without the use of catecholamines, taper by 0.005 units/minute every hour as tolerated to maintain target blo
    • Maximum: There are limited data for doses above 0.1 units/minute
    • In general, titrate to the lowest dose compatible with a clinically acceptable response; adverse reactions are expected to increase with higher doses
  • Septic shock
    • Recommended starting dose 0.01 units/minute
    • Titrate up by 0.005 units/minute at 10- to 15-minute intervals until the target blood pressure is reached
    • Dosing range 0.01 to 0.07 units/minute
    • After target blood pressure has been maintained for 8 hours without the use of catecholamines, taper by 0.005 units/minute every hour as tolerated to maintain target bl
    • Maximum: There are limited data for doses above 0.07 units/minute
    • In general, titrate to the lowest dose compatible with a clinically acceptable response; adverse reactions are expected to increase with higher doses
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dilute 20 units/mL single dose vial or 200 units/10 mL (20 units/mL) multiple dose vial contents with normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W) to either 0.1 units/mL or 1 unit/mL for intravenous administration. Discard unused diluted solution after 18 hours at room temperature or 24 hours under refrigeration. ( 2.1 ) The 20 units/100 mL, 40 units/100 mL, 60 units/100 mL and 50 units/50 mL single dose vials do not require further dilution prior to administration. ( 2.1 ) Post-cardiotomy shock: 0.03 to 0.1 units/minute ( 2.2 ) Septic shock: 0.01 to 0.07 units/minute ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Preparation of Solution Inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to use, whenever solution and container permit. Vasostrict ® Solution for Dilution, 20 units/mL and 200 units/10 mL (20 units/mL) Dilute Vasostrict ® in normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W) prior to use for intravenous administration. Discard unused diluted solution after 18 hours at room temperature or 24 hours under refrigeration. Table 1 Preparation of diluted solutions Fluid restriction? Final concentration Mix Vasostrict ® Diluent No 0.1 units/mL 2.5 mL (50 units) 500 mL Yes 1 unit/mL 5 mL (100 units) 100 mL Vasostrict ® Premixed Solution, 20 units/100 mL (0.2 units/mL), 40 units/100 mL (0.4 units/mL), 60 units/100 mL (0.6 units/mL) and 50 units/50 mL (1 unit/mL) This product does not require further dilution prior to administration. 2.2 Administration In general, titrate to the lowest dose compatible with a clinically acceptable response. The recommended starting dose is: Post-cardiotomy shock: 0.03 units/minute Septic Shock: 0.01 units/minute Titrate up by 0.005 units/minute at 10- to 15-minute intervals until the target blood pressure is reached. There are limited data for doses above 0.1 units/minute for post-cardiotomy shock and 0.07 units/minute for septic shock. Adverse reactions are expected to increase with higher doses. After target blood pressure has been maintained for 8 hours without the use of catecholamines, taper vasopressin injection by 0.005 units/minute every hour as tolerated to maintain target blood pressure.

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Vasopressin Side Effects

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The most common effects reported include:

Common side effects

  • Decreased cardiac output (the heart pumps less blood)
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Fast or irregular heart rhythms (tachyarrhythmias)
  • Low blood sodium (hyponatremia)
  • Reduced blood flow (ischemia) to the heart, gut, skin or fingers and toes

When to get medical help

  • Tell your care team right away about chest pain, a very slow or irregular heartbeat, or worsening heart function.
  • Report belly pain, since reduced blood flow to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia) has been reported.
  • Report cold, pale, painful or discolored fingers, toes or skin, which can signal reduced blood flow.
  • Report unusual bleeding or bruising; low platelets and bleeding have been reported.
  • After the infusion stops, report a lot of urine, very dilute urine, or signs of high sodium. This can be reversible diabetes insipidus.
  • Report any allergic reaction.

Less common but serious effects include atrial fibrillation, intestinal ischemia, low platelets, bleeding, kidney problems, and skin or limb ischemia. Tell your team right away about any of these.

Vasopressin Warnings and Precautions

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  • Worsened heart function: vasopressin can lower the heart's output.
  • Reduced blood flow: it can cause ischemia in the heart, gut, skin and limbs.
  • Reversible diabetes insipidus after stopping: watch for lots of urine and changes in sodium.
  • Higher doses: side effects are expected to increase, and data above the usual range are limited.

Vasopressin Interactions

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Several medicines can change how vasopressin works, so your team monitors you closely.

  • Catecholamines: blood-pressure effects add together.
  • Indomethacin: can prolong vasopressin's effects.
  • Ganglionic blockers: may increase the blood-pressure effect.
  • Drugs that can cause SIADH (such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol): may increase the pressor effect.
  • Drugs that can cause diabetes insipidus (such as lithium, demeclocycline, clozapine): may decrease the pressor effect.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Vasopressin prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Catecholamines: Use with catecholamines is expected to result in an additive effect on mean arterial blood pressure and other hemodynamic parameters. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed.
  • Indomethacin: Use with indomethacin may prolong the effect of vasopressin on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed.
  • Ganglionic blocking agents: Use with ganglionic blocking agents may increase the effect of vasopressin on mean arterial blood pressure. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed.
  • Drugs suspected of causing SIADH (e.g., SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, chlorpropamide, enalapril, methyldopa, pentamidine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, felbamate): May increase the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed.
  • Drugs suspected of causing diabetes insipidus (e.g., demeclocycline, lithium, foscarnet, clozapine): May decrease the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Pressor effects of catecholamines and Vasopressin in Sodium Chloride Injection are expected to be additive. ( 7.1 ) • Indomethacin may prolong effects of Vasopressin in Sodium Chloride Injection. ( 7.2 ) • Co-administration of ganglionic blockers or drugs causing SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antiduretic hormone secretion) may increase the pressor response. ( 7.3 , 7.4 ) • Co-administration of drugs causing diabetes insipidus may decrease the pressor response. ( 7.5 ) 7.1 Catecholamines Use with catecholamines is expected to result in an additive effect on mean arterial blood pressure and other hemodynamic parameters. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed. 7.2 Indomethacin Use with indomethacin may prolong the effect of Vasopressin in Sodium Chloride Injection on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 Ganglionic Blocking Agents Use with ganglionic blocking agents may increase the effect of Vasopressin in Sodium Chloride Injection on mean arterial blood pressure. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.4 Drugs Suspected of Causing SIADH Use with drugs suspected of causing SIADH (e.g., SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, chlorpropamide, enalapril, methyldopa, pentamidine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, felbamate) may increase the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasopressin in Sodium Chloride Injection. Hemodynamic monitoring is recommended; adjust the dose of vasopressin as needed.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

Check Vasopressin against a supplement or herb →

Before Taking Vasopressin

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  • Do not use if you have a known allergy to vasopressin, or to chlorobutanol if the product contains it (Vasostrict 10 mL multiple dose vial).
  • Pregnancy: it may cause uterine contractions that could threaten the pregnancy.
  • Breastfeeding: consider pumping and discarding milk for 1.5 hours after a dose.
  • Children: safety and effectiveness have not been established.
  • Older adults: dosing is usually cautious, at the low end.

Vasopressin Overdose

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Too much vasopressin can cause strong narrowing of blood vessels in the limbs, gut and heart, along with low blood sodium. Less commonly it can cause dangerous heart rhythms, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and stomach or bowel symptoms. These direct effects resolve within minutes of stopping treatment.

What Vasopressin Does in the Body

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At therapeutic doses, vasopressin narrows blood vessels in most areas, including the gut, kidneys and skin. In vasodilatory shock it raises blood pressure and vessel resistance, and lowers the need for norepinephrine. It tends to slow the heart rate and lower cardiac output. The effect peaks within about 15 minutes and fades within about 20 minutes after stopping, with no sign of tolerance.

How Your Body Processes Vasopressin

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Blood levels rise in proportion to the infusion rate and reach steady state after about 30 minutes. Vasopressin does not bind to plasma proteins. It is broken down quickly, with a half-life of 10 minutes or less at shock doses. Only about 6% is passed unchanged in urine. Clearance rises during pregnancy, up to about 4 to 5 times by late pregnancy, and returns to baseline within two weeks after delivery.

How to Store Vasopressin

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Store between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F). Do not freeze. refrigeration to room temperature storage conditions (20°C to 25°C , USP Controlled Room Temperature), anytime within the labeled shelf life.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

Vasopressin: Pharmacist Answers to Common Questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Vasopressin — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is vasopressin being used for?

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It raises blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock, such as after heart surgery or with sepsis. It is used when fluids and other blood-pressure medicines have not been enough.

How will I receive it?

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It is given through an IV drip in the hospital. Your team adjusts the rate in small steps to reach the right blood pressure, and then slowly tapers it down.

What side effects might I notice?

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The most common ones include a slower or irregular heartbeat, lower heart output, low sodium, and reduced blood flow to areas like the gut, skin, fingers and toes. Your team monitors you closely and will respond to any of these.

What should I tell my nurse right away?

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Let them know about chest pain, belly pain, cold or discolored fingers or toes, unusual bleeding, or an allergic reaction. Your team also keeps an eye on your fluids and sodium after the infusion stops.

Can I get it if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

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Vasopressin may cause uterine contractions that could threaten a pregnancy, so tell your team if you are pregnant. If you are breastfeeding, the label says to consider pumping and discarding milk for 1.5 hours after a dose.

Do other medicines affect it?

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Yes. Catecholamines add to its effect, and drugs like indomethacin, SSRIs, lithium and others can strengthen or weaken it. Your team monitors you and adjusts the dose.

Is Vasopressin available over the counter?

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No. Vasopressin is a prescription medicine: every Vasopressin product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Vasopressin first available?

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The earliest FDA record we hold for Vasopressin is from 2012: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Vasopressin was first used.

Who makes Vasopressin?

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16 companies currently list Vasopressin products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst, Par Health USA, LLC, Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More About Vasopressin on HelloPharmacist

🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerVasopressin vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Vasopressin NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed Data & References for Vasopressin Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Vasopressin Forms and Strengths (How It Comes)

Vasopressin is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Vasopressin inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Injection

Into a vein
Brands Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Vasostrict
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Vasostrict is used to raise blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock, such as after heart surgery or with sepsis, who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
  • Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride is used to raise blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
  • Vasopressin injection is used to raise blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
Important instructions
  • Vasostrict 20 units/mL vials are diluted in normal saline or 5% dextrose before IV use; its premixed bags and vials need no further dilution.
  • Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride is given as an IV infusion and needs no further dilution.
  • Vasopressin injection (20 units/mL vials) is diluted with saline or dextrose before IV use, while its 40 units/100 mL premixed vial needs no dilution.
  • Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride is tapered gradually once blood pressure has been steady for 8 hours without catecholamines.
Available strengths 5 strengths
0.2 [USP'U]/mL 0.4 [USP'U]/mL 20 [USP'U]/100 mL 20 [USP'U]/mL 40 [USP'U]/100 mL
58 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Vasopressin on the U.S. Market: Products, Makers and Brands

How Vasopressin appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

16 companies list 30 Vasopressin product records with the FDA, mostly as injection; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 2012. Brand names on the directory include Vasostrict, Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
16
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
3
Brand names
30
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
2012
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (28) — bulk drug substance and unfinished product sold to compounders and other manufacturers to finish, and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst17%
Par Health USA, LLC13%
Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC10%
American Regent, Inc.7%
Baxter Healthcare Corporation7%
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC7%
Other makers40%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How Widely Vasopressin Is Used (Medicaid Data)

A general measure of how commonly Vasopressin is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Vasopressin is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

1,353
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$289,603 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Vasopressin prescribed? Of the 1,603 medications we measure, Vasopressin ranks #1,246 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 22% of them.

Where Vasopressin ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #1,246 of 1,603
#1,241 Alpelisib 1,384 Rx #1,242 Praziquantel 1,374 Rx #1,243 Dostarlimab-gxly Injec... 1,368 Rx #1,244 Asfotase Alfa 1,368 Rx #1,245 Ublituximab-xiiy injec... 1,361 Rx #1,246 Vasopressin 1,353 Rx #1,247 Eribulin Injection 1,351 Rx #1,248 Trimethobenzamide 1,342 Rx #1,249 Vosoritide 1,319 Rx #1,250 Epoprostenol 1,316 Rx #1,251 Nafcillin Injection 1,312 Rx

Utilization by Vasopressin product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 1 mL / 20 units/mL injection is the most-dispensed Vasopressin product — about 91% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

1 ML vasopressin (USP) 20 UNT/ML Injection Most dispensed

1,234 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 91% of Vasopressin prescriptions shown $244,421 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $198 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 32 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2103182

vasopressin (USP) 20 UNT/ML Injectable Solution

119 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 9% of Vasopressin prescriptions shown $45,182 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $380 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 17 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313578

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Vasopressin, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 10 of 49 listed Vasopressin NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Vasopressin Products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Vasopressin — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 30 of 30 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 30 Vasopressin NDCs →

Vasopressin Side Effects Reported to the FDA (FAERS)

After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Vasopressin — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.

The effects most often named in FDA reports that mention Vasopressin are hypotension, cardiogenic shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome; about 96% of the reports were classed as serious. These are voluntary reports, so they show what people report, not how often it happens.

4,355
Reports mentioning it
96%
Reported as serious
12
Distinct effects shown
Most reported effects
Hypotension
508
Cardiogenic Shock
418
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
409
Sepsis
404
Condition Aggravated
392
Toxicity To Various Agents
338
Acute Kidney Injury
333
Stress
310
Vomiting
310
Abdominal Pain
289
Age groups
Adult · 440Elderly · 282Neonate · 58Adolescent · 44Infant · 38Child · 18

Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Vasopressin in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Vasopressin FDA Approval History

How Vasopressin went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.

Vasopressin was first approved by the FDA in 2012; the first generic version was approved in 2021. It remains available in U.S. pharmacies today.

2012
First FDA approval
2021
First generic approved
Lower-cost ANDA competition begins
2026
Available today
Active in U.S. pharmacies

Source: Drugs@FDA.

Vasopressin Recall History

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 3 Vasopressin recalls since July 2021, covering 4 product listings. Two of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Aug 6, 2026 · Baxter Healthcare Corporation
CGMP Deviations
  • Vasopressin, in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 40 units per 100 mL (0.4 units/mL), 100mL Single-Dose Container, Rx only, Sterile, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, 60015 USA, NDC 0338-96… Lots: Lot # NC185448, Exp Date: 8/31/2027; Lot # NC192910, Exp Date: 4/30/2028; Lot # NC195218, Exp Date: 6/30/2028. FDA record D-0819-2026 →
  • Vasopressin, in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 20 units per 100 mL (0.2 units/mL), 100mL Single-Dose Container, Rx only, Sterile, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, 60012 USA, NDC 0338-96… Lots: Lot # NC193672, NC193795, Exp Date: 04/30/2028; Lot # NC194198, Exp Date: 05/31/2028. FDA record D-0811-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Jan 11, 2024 · Par Sterile Products LLC
Superpotent Drug: Assay from the 3-month and 6-month stability intervals exceeded the upper specification limit.
  • Vasostrict (vasopressin in 5% Dextrose) Injection, 20 units per 100 mL (0.2 units per mL), 100 mL x 10 Single Dose Vials per carton, Ready to Use, For Intravenous Infusion, Rx Only, Distributed by: P… Lots: Lot # 66702; Exp. 02/2025 FDA record D-0232-2024 →
Class II May 13, 2024 · Terminated · American Regent, Inc.
Subpotent product in addition to having out-of-specification results for impurities.
  • Vasopressin Injection, USP, 200 Units per 10 mL (20 Units per mL), 10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial, Rx only, For Intravenous Infusion, American Regent, Inc., Shirley, NY 11967, NDC 0517-1030-01 Lots: Lot #: 23061L1C0, Exp 1/31/2025 FDA record D-0507-2024 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Oct 8, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Vasopressin RxCUI 11149 2 dose forms · 4 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 374283 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 20 UNT/ML RxCUI 313578

Look up RxCUI 11149 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Vasopressin Brand Names

Vasopressin is sold under 2 brand names in the FDA directory — Vasostrict, Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Vasostrict Vasopressin in 0.9% Sodium Chloride

Who Makes Vasopressin: Manufacturers and Labelers

16 companies list Vasopressin products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst, Par Health USA, LLC, Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 5 Par Health USA, LLC 4 Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC 3 American Regent, Inc. 2 Baxter Healthcare Corporation 2 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 2 Gland Pharma Limited 2 Long Grove Pharmaceuticals, LLC 2 Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC 1 Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 Civica, Inc. 1 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. 1 Eugia US LLC 1 Medical Purchasin Solutions, LLC 1 ProPharma Distribution 1 Sagent Pharmaceuticals 1

Sources for This Vasopressin Page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

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FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Apr 21, 2026
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Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Vasopressin.
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Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
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Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Vasopressin after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
24
Finished products in the current FDA directory
30
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
16
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
16
Linked representative label ⓘ
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Linked label effective
Apr 21, 2026
Composite sections available
22
Linked SPL Set ID
b1147beb-743e-4c62-8927-91192447f8b8
Linked SPL Document ID
5686729a-7e3c-48da-9c58-bbdb604c56fb
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →