14 THERAPY

No additional benefit with combination in enuresis

Amilriptyline was more effective than desmopressin in treating nocturnal enuresis in children, but the combination of the 2 agents did not confer any additional benefit. report researchers in Australia.

After a 2-week mewcation-free run-in period. children with nocturnal enuresis received oral amitriptyline (25mg for those aged 6-10 years and SOmg for those aged 11-17 years; n = 14), intranasal desmopressin 20llS ( 17), or both agents (14), at bedtime for 16 weeks.

. MeaD number of wet nights per week d.uring run·in and treatmeDt periods -- --... -..", o-nop-.m ... -. . ......, ••• ao , .. T_

a.a ' .7 .. Compared with the run-in period. the mean number

of wet nights per week was significantly reduced in each group during treatment [see table). Combination therapy and amitriptyline monothecapy were significantly more effective than desmopressin monotherapy at weeks 6, 8 and 10; there were no significant differences between the combination and the amitriptyline monotherapy groups.

The researchers suggest that higher doses of desmopressin may be more effective.

BurU JR, Mi%u$l.wl Y, aw. .... Webb KL. d aL A cornpar;.aa of amilript)'1iDe,

vasoprudD and amilript)'1iIIe with vlSOlftSlin iD DOCtW'nal CIlI!I'W5.1>ediwic NepbroIoay 9: 43.-440, AIII I99S _

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