Childhood enuresis. II. Psychopathology, tricyclic concentration in plasma, and antienuretic effect.

The efficacy of treatment with imipramine hydrochloride, desipramine hydrochloride, methscopolamine bromide, and placebo was compared in a study with 40 severely enuretic boys. Both tricyclic antidepressants were superior to placebo and methscopolamine, but they did not differ from each other. Psychiatric disturbance, sleep measures, and other clinical parameters did not predict antienuretic response to tricyclics nor was there a psychotropic response. Plasma concentrations of imipramine and desipramine showed a significant correlation with clinical effect. However, true nonresponders were found, and tolerance to the antienuretic drugs developed in some boys.