Efficacy and Safety of Low Dose Desmopressin Orally Disintegrating Tablet in Men with Nocturia: Results of a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Group Study

PurposeWe investigated the efficacy and safety of 50 and 75 μg desmopressin orally disintegrating tablets in men with nocturia (2 or more nocturnal voids).Materials and MethodsIn this 3-month, randomized, double-blind, parallel study 50 and 75 μg desmopressin were compared with placebo. The co-primary efficacy end points were changes from baseline in mean number of nocturnal voids and proportions of patients achieving at least a 33% reduction from baseline in nocturnal voids (33% responders) during a 3-month treatment period.ResultsThe full analysis set comprised 385 men (age range 20 to 87 years). The 50 and 75 μg doses significantly reduced the number of nocturnal voids (−0.37, p <0.0001 and −0.41, p = 0.0003, respectively) and increased the odds of a 33% or greater response (OR 1.98, p = 0.0009 and OR 2.04, p = 0.0004, respectively) compared with placebo during 3 months. Desmopressin 50 and 75 μg increased the time to first void from baseline by approximately 40 minutes compared to placebo (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively). The response to desmopressin was seen by 1 week of treatment and was sustained. Significant increases in health related quality of life and sleep quality were observed compared to placebo. Desmopressin was well tolerated as only 2 subjects (age 74 and 79 years) on 50 μg had a serum sodium level of less than 130 mmol/L (vs 9 subjects on 75 μg).ConclusionsDesmopressin (orally disintegrating tablet) is an effective and well tolerated treatment for men with nocturia. Treatment with 50 μg desmopressin, the minimum effective dose, provided sustained improvement of nocturia throughout the study and meaningful benefits to patients with an improved safety profile.