Desmopressin is a safe drug for the treatment of enuresis.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the safety of desmopressin treatment and its associated side-effects in a large number of patients.


METHODS
The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Italian Club for Nocturnal Enuresis, whose criteria are: age >5 years; absence of malformations and infections of the urinary tract; absence of psychological disorders or neurological alterations; number of "wet nights" >5-7; control of liquid intake during the afternoon and evening; monitoring of serum electrolytes before beginning treatment; control of body weight before the beginning of treatment and during the first 4-5 days of therapy; and the informed consent of the parents. The therapeutic regimen provided for a maximum dose of desmopressin of 40 microg/day (four puffs/nostril or two tablets), starting from an initial dosage of 20 microg/day (two puffs/nostril or one tablet) 1 h before going to bed. The study involved two groups of patients with monosymptomatic enuresis: some of them had been administered desmopressin in the form of a spray and others in the form of tablets.


RESULTS
A small percentage of patients presented mild, transient side-effects; in no case were severe side-effects verified.


CONCLUSIONS
Desmopressin is a safe drug with a low incidence of side-effects.
Del Gado
Roberto
R
Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. roberto.delgado@unina2.it
Del Gaizo
Donatella
D
Cennamo
Marina
M
Auriemma
Roberta
R
Del Gado
Gabriella
G
Vernì
Mariateresa
M
D000293:Adolescent; D050034:Antidiuretic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004775:Enuresis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D050034:Antidiuretic Agents; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin