Vasopressin
Also known as: antidiuretic hormone · ADH · AVP
The posterior pituitary nonapeptide governing water reabsorption and vascular tone. Differs from oxytocin by only two residues.
Development status: Approved as a medicine in one or more jurisdictions
Identifiers and molecular characteristics
- CAS number
- Not verified
- Molecular formula
- Not verified
- Molecular mass
- Not verified
- Amino-acid sequence
- Not verified
- PubChem CID
- Not verified
Identifiers are published only with a source and a check date. Fields marked “not verified” have not yet been confirmed against a primary source — we show the gap rather than an unchecked figure. Always confirm against the certificate of analysis for the specific lot you hold.
Biological targets
- V1a
- V1b
- V2 receptors
Mechanism of action
V2 receptor activation in the renal collecting duct drives aquaporin-2 insertion and water reabsorption; V1a activation mediates vasoconstriction.
Research evidence and its limits
Core physiology, established clinical use in specific settings.
Safety considerations
Where this compound is an approved medicine, the authoritative safety source is the product labelling issued by the relevant regulator — not this page. Research-grade material is not pharmaceutical product and carries none of those assurances. Supplied and discussed here strictly as a laboratory research material. Not a medicine, not for human or veterinary administration, and nothing on this page should be read as a dosing, treatment or safety recommendation.
Analytical identification and quality testing
Identity by high-resolution mass spectrometry against the expected mass, purity by RP-HPLC with UV detection. Tandem MS sequencing or peptide mapping gives stronger identity evidence than mass alone.
Regulatory status
Approved in multiple jurisdictions.
References
Related compounds
Oxytocin
A posterior pituitary nonapeptide with a disulfide bridge, among the earliest peptide hormones characterised and synthesised. An established medicine in obstetric practice.
Desmopressin
A vasopressin analogue selective for the V2 receptor, used clinically in diabetes insipidus and certain bleeding disorders.
Entry last reviewed 2026-10-11. Regulatory status and scientific understanding change; verify against primary sources before relying on anything here.