Traditional Japanese medicine, Yokukansan, for the treatment of nocturnal enuresis in children.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The major pathogenic factors involved in nocturnal enuresis are nocturnal polyuria, small bladder capacity and/or detrusor overactivity, and a high arousal threshold. Desmopressin is the first-line therapy for the patients with diuresis-dependent nocturnal enuresis. Yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, has been used in Japan to treat patients with nervousness, insomnia, and children with night terrors and temper tantrums. We experienced the positive effect of Yokukansan in some of the patients who did not respond well to desmopressin therapy.

METHODS:

In total, 32 children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis with nocturnal polyuria were treated with oral desmopressin melt tablets, which were approved for clinical use in Japan on 29 May 2012. This treatment was effective for 14 of them. For the rest (n = 18), Yokukansan was introduced in combination with desmopressin.

RESULTS:

Yokukansan was effective for 12 out of the 18 cases.

CONCLUSIONS:

Yokukansan should be a candidate for the medication of nocturnal enuresis.

• Authors: Yoshiyuki Ohtomo, Daisuke Umino, Masaru Takada, Shinichi Niijima, Shuichiro Fujinaga, Toshiaki Shimizu
• Journal: Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society (Pediatr Int) Vol. 55 Issue 6 Pg. 737-40 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 1442-200X [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 23773379 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2013 Japan Pediatric Society.

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Yi-Gan San

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Japan
• Medicine, Traditional
• Nocturnal Enuresis (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Phytotherapy
• Remission Induction
• Surveys and Questionnaires