Methylphenidate-Induced Enuresis: 3 Case Reports.
Necati Uzun1, Mehmet Akif Akinci2, Serdar Karatoprak3
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram School of Medicine.
Clinical Neuropharmacology
|November 30, 2020
Summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Methylphenidate (MPH) is a common ADHD treatment, but its effect on enuresis is unclear. This report details three children experiencing enuresis while on MPH treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Child Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents.
- Methylphenidate (MPH) is a first-line pharmacotherapy for ADHD, widely prescribed globally.
- Enuresis (bedwetting) frequently co-occurs with ADHD, presenting a complex clinical challenge.
Observation:
- The relationship between MPH treatment and enuresis in ADHD patients is contradictory in existing literature.
- Some studies report MPH as a potential cause of new-onset or worsened enuresis.
- Conversely, other research suggests MPH may improve enuresis in comorbid cases.
Findings:
- This report documents three pediatric cases of ADHD where enuresis emerged during MPH treatment.
- These cases highlight the potential for MPH to exacerbate or induce enuresis in susceptible individuals.
- The observed enuresis occurred despite MPH being administered for ADHD symptom management.
Implications:
- These findings underscore the need for careful monitoring of enuresis in children with ADHD undergoing MPH treatment.
- Clinicians should consider enuresis as a possible adverse effect of MPH and explore alternative treatments if necessary.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the varied effects of MPH on enuresis.
