Amitriptyline in childhood enuresis

Abstract

In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study with cross‐over, 50 outpatient enuretic children (aged 5 to 15) were treated for 8 weeks. It was found that amitriptyline in doses of 25 or 50 mg. (for children aged 12 and over) was superior clinically (P < 0.0005) to a placebo in decreasing the frequency of nights with enuresis. Adverse effects from the amitriptyline were found to be minimal. After the 8 week treatment period, the dosage of amitriptyline at bedtime was manipulated over a range of 25 to 75 mg. and the clinical response was improved in some instances. Five children (10 per cent) became completely dry and remained dry after the drug was gradually withdrawn. Thirty children (62 per cent) showed various degrees of improvement with a small percentage of relapses when the drug was withdrawn. Fourteen (28 per cent) failed to benefit from treatment.