title: A comparison of amitriptyline, vasopressin and amitriptyline with vasopressin in nocturnal enuresis.
abstract: Forty-five children aged 6-14 years with primary nocturnal enuresis were randomised to determine whether desmopressin is more effective than amitriptyline and whether the combination of amitriptyline/desmopressin is more effective than amitriptyline or desmopressin alone. Amitriptyline dosage was 25 mg for children 6-10 years and 50 mg for children aged 10-14 years. Desmopressin (20 micrograms) was given in the same dosage for all age groups. After a run-in period of 2 weeks, children were treated for 16 weeks and then observed for 12 weeks. In the amitriptyline group mean wet nights per week decreased from 5.8 +/- 0.9 to 3.3 +/- 1.9 (P < 0.0005); in the desmopressin group mean wet nights per week decreased from 6.0 +/- 0.9 to 4.7 +/- 1.7 (P < 0.02); in the amitriptyline/desmopressin group mean wet nights per week decreased from 6.3 +/- 0.9 to 3.3 +/- 2.5 (P < 0.0006). When comparing the groups, amitriptyline/desmopressin and amitriptyline were statistically more effective than desmopressin in week 6 (P < 0.009), week 8 (P < 0.03) and week 10 (P < 0.04). No significant side effects occurred. At this dose amitriptyline was more effective than desmopressin and the combination of desmopressin and amitriptyline did not confer any additional benefit.
authors.affiliation: Mater Misericordiae Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizusawa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004775:Enuresis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012076:Renal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D012076:Renal Agents; D014667:Vasopressins; D000639:Amitriptyline