Thirty-three women with urinary stress incontinence were treated with the Α-adrenoceptor-stimulating agent, norfenefrine (Nevadral Retard). Treatment was administered during 3–24 weeks at a daily dosage of 90 mg. Judged by a 1-hour pad weighing test, a significant effect could be demonstrated. With the exception of 1 case of allergic reaction and 1 case of recurrent vomiting, a simultaneously performed tolerability test revealed only minor side effects.
Forty-four consecutive female patients, who were scheduled for operation for genuine stress incontinence but instead treated pharmacologically with an Α-agonist or placebo for 3–4.5 months, were evaluated after a median observation period of 30 months. Ten patients (23%) underwent colposuspension. Fourteen patients (32%) claimed to be continent or so much improved that further treatment was considered unnecessary by the patients themselves. Of the remaining 20 patients who still claimed to have stress incontinence, 11 (25%) preferred to resume the pharmacological treatment whereas 9 patients (20%) had not decided whether they wanted further treatment. These results suggest that some operations for stress incontinence may be avoided by introduction of a standard trial of medical therapy prior to intended surgical intervention.
Forty-four consecutive patients with genuine stress incontinence were treated with norfenefrine 15–30 mg t.i.d. in a 6-week, double-blind and parallel, placebo-controlled study. Subjectively, 52% were improved and 26% became continent during norfenefrine treatment. Objectively (stress test), 30% became continent and the maximum urethral closure pressure increased 10% which was statistically significant. These results, however, were not statistically different from those of placebo treatment. Simultaneously, subjective and objective improvement was seen more often in patients given norfenefrine compared to placebo (p < 0.1). In patients with most severe incontinence according to urodynamic criteria the effect of norfenefrine was statistically significantly better than placebo. A low incidence of side effects was observed and no differences between norfenefrine and placebo were found. It is concluded that norfenefrine may be of value in the treatment of female stress incontinence.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.