Follow-up of long-time treatment with intravesical oxybutynin for neurogenic bladder in children.

OBJECTIVE: Anticholinergic treatment for the hyperreflexic neurogenic bladder in childhood is an established method, together with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), to promote continence and protect the upper urinary tract from deterioration. Recently, the use of oxybutynin, a compound with anticholinergic, smooth muscle relaxant and local anesthetic effects, has become widely used with both oral and intravesical administration. METHOD: In this study we report 39 children with myelodysplasia, neurogenic bladder disturbance with detrusor hyperreflexia and/or high bladder pressure treated with CIC to which intravesical oxybutynin 0.1 mg/kg twice daily was added and administered as a sterile pharmacy-produced solution. The follow-up period was 0.66-5 years (mean 2.25). RESULTS: Continence was clearly promoted and urodynamic parameters improved whereas an increased occurrence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and lower urinary tract infections was noted. Compliance was good, adverse reactions rare, and in some cases vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) resolved. Also infants and very young children were treated without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical oxybutynin is effective to diminish bladder pathophysiology and promote continence in this patient group and is also well tolerated. Attention should be paid to the occurrence of urinary tract infections and VUR may resolve.

Pharmacokinetics and effects of intravesical oxybutynin on the paediatric neurogenic bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of both oxybutynin and its active metabolite, N-desethyl oxybutynin (NDO), when the drug is instilled directly into the bladder in children with myelodysplasia and neurogenic bladder disturbance, in whom it may improve continence and decrease the risk of upper urinary tract deterioration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 13 children (five girls and eight boys, mean age 9.3 years, range 1-15) with neurogenic bladders who were treated using clean intermittent catheterization and intravesical instillation of a sterile, pharmacy-produced solution of oxybutynin. Steady-state minimum plasma levels of oxybutynin and NDO, together with their effect on urodynamic variables and incontinence, were evaluated. The dose (0.04-0.17 mg/kg, mean 0.1 mg/kg) was instilled twice daily. RESULTS: The effects of the drug on incontinence and urodynamic variables were pronounced, improving both in most cases. Minimum plasma levels were < 0.3-7.2 ng/mL for oxybutynin and 0.8-14 ng/mL for NDO. The ratio of oxybutynin to NDO was 0.29-0.83 (mean 0.47). CONCLUSION: There was no clear relationship between minimum plasma levels of the drug or NDO and their clinical effects; however, the combination of oxybutynin and NDO seemed to be more strongly correlated with the clinical effects.