Bedwetting Medication

Also known as nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis, bedwetting, as said is a natural occurrence in children less than the age of 6 or 7. This is due to the fact that at this age, children are not matured enough to gain a nighttime bladder control. Causes which have been associated with the development of bedwetting include hormonal imbalance, stress, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, diabetes and chronic constipation. If the child's bladder is not fully developed, then it might not be able to hold urine that is produced at night, and this may also be a cause of bedwetting. Anatomical defect and slow maturation of the nerves that control the bladder are also some of the causes of bedwetting.

How is Bedwetting Treated

One effective treatment for bedwetting is the use of moisture alarms. These devices run on battery and are available at most pharmacies, needless of any prescription. These alarms are connected to a pad on the child's trousers or bedding. The pad, being moisture sensitive, will trigger the alarm to go off, if there is any incident of bedwetting. So, when the alarm goes off, it's time to arouse the kid from sleep and take him to the toilet. In some cases, parents might be required to keep a watch on the alarm, in case, their child is a heavy sleeper. Such devices may take 2-12 weeks to provide any positive results. These alarms are effective, come with minimal or zero side effects and may be good enough as a long term solution for bedwetting. If this method fails, then medicines would be required to treat this condition.

Bedwetting medication helps curb the production of too much urine during nighttime. There is this natural hormone known as antidiuretic hormone, or ADH in the body. It helps or rather forces the body to produce less urine. So, the level of ADH is increased by the use of this medication known as desmopressin acetate (DDAVP). The administration of this drug has a few side effects and one of them could be a seizure. A seizure might occur if the drug is given in the presence of too many fluids in the body. So, it is recommended that the child should take less fluids the night when the drug is to be given. Also, if the child is suffering from a headache or nausea, then the medication should be avoided. The drug is available in pill form and as a nasal spray. However, pills are more recommended, as the effect of the nasal spray tends to stay longer and thus, increase the risk of the onset of side effects.

One of the causes of bedwetting could be a smaller size of the bladder. So, in order to reduce bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity, oxybutynin (Ditropan) or hyoscyamine (Levsin) could be prescribed. Possible side effects of this medicine could be dry mouth and facial flushing.

The antidepressant imipramine (Tofranil) is also recommended as an effective drug to treat the symptoms of bedwetting. This drug helps in changing the child's sleeping and waking patterns and also his ability to hold urine for a longer time. It is also known to reduce the amount of urine produced. Low dosage is required to reduce the risk of side effects. It is recommended to administer the drug just before going to bed. Side effects to watch out for include those associated with mood changes and sleep problems. Given the severe side effects of this medicine, it should be used only when all other medicines have failed to yield any desired results.

Parents must know that most children eventually outgrow their bedwetting problem. However, some measures such as limiting fluid intake before going to sleep, avoiding beverages in the evening and teaching the kids not to fight the urgency to urinate, greatly help in treating the problem. One effective method is to encourage the kids to use the toilet just before going to bed and again before falling asleep. Inculcation of this habit reduces the episodes of bedwetting. So, before making up your mind on any bedwetting medicine, give a thought on other methods such as these and the one which involves the use of moisture alarms, as in most cases they prove to be effective and helpful.