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. Material and 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 mu g/ day ( four puffs/ nostril or two tablets), starting from an initial dosage of 20 mg/ 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. Conclusion. Desmopressin is a safe drug with a low incidence of side- effects.