Desmopressin Use in the Treatment of Aripiprazole-Induced Nocturnal Enuresis in a Child Diagnosed with Autıstıc Disorder

An association between incontinence and antipsychotic drugs: A systematic review

To date, due to the increasing prevalence of psychiatric diseases, the use of antipsychotic drugs has expanded. One of the proven side effects of these drugs is incontinence. Treatment of this complication improves the quality of life in these patients, increases self-confidence, and betters cope with their psychiatric illness. The exact mechanism of this side effect is not fully understood, but various methods have been used experimentally to deal with it. Strategies such as behavior therapy, discontinuation or change of drugs, reducing the dose of drugs, and adding drugs with less incontinence have been used. Each of these methods and studies has different results that need to be summarized to make optimal use of them. Since most of these reports are case reports with a low statistical population, our study has systematically reviewed these studies to find a comprehensive model to deal with this complication.

Low-Dose Aripiprazole-Induced Nocturnal Enuresis in a 9-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report and the Possible Underlying Mechanism

ABSTRACT

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic commonly used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder. Common adverse effects associated with aripiprazole usage in children and adolescents are nausea, vomiting, extrapyramidal adverse effects, akathisia, sedation, tremor, and increased appetite. Enuresis is one of the least expected adverse effects during aripiprazole use. The pathophysiology of aripiprazole-induced enuresis has not been fully clarified. To our knowledge, our report presents enuresis related to aripiprazole use at the lowest dose in the literature. In this report, we present the case of a 9-year-old boy who developed nocturnal enuresis after the beginning of low-dose aripiprazole treatment.

Resolution of enuresis with aripiprazole in children with psychiatric disorders: two case reports

BACKGROUND

Aripiprazole is a third-generation atypical antipsychotic drug that acts as a stabilizer of the dopaminergic and serotonergic system. As partial agonist of the dopamine (D2) and serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors, it appears to be effective in reducing mania in patients with bipolar disorder, tics in Tourette Syndrome, aggression in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Enuresis has been reported among its side effects. Only a few studies, with conflicting results, have investigated the relationship between aripiprazole and enuresis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the disappearance of enuresis in a Caucasian girl with intellectual disability and oppositional defiant disorder and in a Caucasian boy with intellectual disability and early-onset psychosis, both following initiation of treatment with aripiprazole.

CONCLUSION

The aim of this study was to contribute to the literature on the use of aripripazole in subjects with enuresis. Our findings lead us to suggest that aripiprazole is less burdened with side effects, including bedwetting, than other antipsychotic drugs.