Desmopressin is a synthetic version of the endogenous antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP). Compared to AVP, the first amino acid of desmopressin has been deaminated, and the arginine at the eighth position is in the dextrorotatory rather than the levorotatory form. Desmopressin acts as an agonist at human vasopressin V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors with Ki values of 62.4, 5.8, and 23.3 nM, respectively.