Check Your Symptoms

Some people who have symptoms of VWD do not even know they have the disease.¹ VWD symptoms may differ among patients, even those who are related. The symptoms can also change over time.^1-3

Symptoms of VWD include:

Easy bruising
Nosebleeds
Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
Heavy bleeding after a cut
Prolonged or heavy bleeding after minor surgery, such as having a tooth pulled

Many people with undiagnosed VWD dismiss their symptoms. For instance, if a man bruises very easily, he might say, “This is normal for my family. We all bruise easily.” A woman might have very heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia), but assume it is normal—or untreatable. Both the easy bruising and the heavy periods could be symptoms of VWD.

Should you get tested for VWD?

References

1. Montgomery RR, Hilgartner MW. Understanding von Willebrand Disease. The National Hemophilia
Foundation; 1991.

2. Montgomery RR, Gill JC, Scott JP. Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. In: Nathan DG, Orkin SH, eds. Nathan and Oski's Hematology of Infancy and Childhood. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 1998:1631-1659.

3. Rick ME. Diagnosis and management of von Willebrand's syndrome. Med Clin North Am. 1994;78:609-623.

Important Safety Information

Stimate^® Nasal Spray is indicated for patients with mild to moderate classic type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) with Factor VIII levels greater than 5%. Stimate^® Nasal Spray is not indicated for the treatment of severe classic VWD (type 1) and when there is evidence of an abnormal molecular form of Factor VIII antigen.

Stimate^® Nasal Spray is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to desmopressin or any of the components of Stimate^®. Stimate^® should not be used in patients with type 2B VWD, since platelet aggregation may be induced. Stimate^® Nasal Spray is for intranasal use only.

To decrease the potential for hyponatremia or water intoxication, especially in the young and the elderly, patients using desmopressin who are not in need of antidiuretic hormone for its antidiuretic effect should be cautioned to reduce fluid intake, ingesting only enough to satisfy thirst. Such patients should be monitored for the rare occurrence of an extreme decrease in plasma osmolality that could result in seizures, possibly leading to coma.

Other adverse reactions reported with use of injectable and/or intranasal desmopressin acetate include headache, nausea, somnolence, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations and tachycardia, and severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. See full prescribing information for a complete list of adverse reactions.