Vasopressin is the man-made form of a hormone called anti-diuretic hormone that is normally secreted by the pituitary gland. It is a hormone synthesized as a peptide prohormone in neurons in the hypothalamus and is converted to AVP.

Vasopressin helps prevent loss of water from the body by reducing urine output and helping the kidneys reabsorb water into the body. Vasopressin also raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels.

Vasopressin is used to treat diabetes insipidus and can also be used to treat or prevent certain conditions of the stomach after surgery or during abdominal x-rays.