Methods and devices for desmopressin drug delivery

Abstract

Disclosed are devices for urine voiding postponement, and methods for treating conditions such as central diabetes insipidus, enuresis, nocturia, urinary frequency or incontinence. The devices deliver a desmopressin flux through the skin of a patient in a low dose amount just necessary to achieve a desired anti-diuretic effect without undesirable side effects such as hyponatremia. The devices are designed to permit a state of normal urinary production to return quickly after the desmopressin flux is terminated.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for modulating urine production in a patient, the device comprising:
 an interface member for application to the skin of a patient comprising a microstructure comprising or coated with releasable desmopressin, the microstructure being configured to enter the patient's intradermal compartment when said device is applied to the skin of the patient, thereby to release desmopressin into the circulatory system of the patient at a flux rate:   i) sufficient to establish and maintain a desmopressin concentration in the blood of the patient within the range of about 0.2 to 5 pg/ml and   ii) insufficient to induce a desmopressin concentration in the blood of the patient greater than about 5 pg/ml.   
     
     
         2 . The device of claim  32 , wherein the microstructure is a microneedle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of claim  33 , comprising a plurality of microneedles having tips comprising or coated with releasable desmopressin. 
     
     
         4 . The device of claim  32 , wherein the microstructure is a micropellet.