$Unique_ID{BRK00929}
$Pretitle{Genitourinary System}
$Title{Is There a New Drug to Help Bedwetters?}
$Subject{bed wetting medication}
$Volume{J-16}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is There a New Drug to Help Bedwetters?


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QUESTION:  My girlfriend knows of the troubles I am having with my youngster,
so when she saw a report about a new drug to help bedwetters she called me.
However, I have been unable to find anything out from my local TV Station, and
all I know about the medicine is that it is a nasal spray.  Is this enough for
you to be able to provide me the information that could help solve our
problem?

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ANSWER:  Your information is correct and certainly enough for me to point you
in the right direction.  After all there are not many new drugs for this
problem which come in the form of a nasal spray.  The new medication is called
DDAVP Nasal Spray, marketed by Rorer Pharmaceuticals and just recently
approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  Many children who do not
respond to the many existing treatments for bed wetting at night (medical
term:  nocturnal diuresis) were found to lack normal levels of a hormone
called arginine vasopressin.  This chemical which functions as an antidiuretic
hormone, diminishes the production of urine particularly at night.  The lack
of this hormone is thought to be the cause of many cases of bed wetting.  The
new medicine is provided as a nasal spray which may make it a bit easier to
give to children.  The medication is sprayed into each nostril at bedtime.  If
the initial dose of 0.2 mL for patients 6 years old and above is ineffective
the dose can be doubled.  One recent study reported a 41% reduction in the
number of "wet nights" with this treatment.  Of course all of this should be
under the care of your physician, for this medication is by prescription only.
The medication comes in 5 mL vials which should be sufficient for one month of
treatment.  By the time you read this, I am sure your physician will have all
the information on this new product and will be able to help you.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
