Urea for long-term treatment of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Issue 6299 (24th October 1981)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Decaux, G; Genette, F
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 283:Issue 6299(1981)
• Page Start: 1081
• Page End: 1083
• Publication Date: 1981-10-24
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.283.6299.1081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : The efficacy of oral urea in producing a sufficiently high osmotic diuresis was tested in seven patients with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. In all patients urea corrected the hyponatraemia despite a normal fluid intake. Five patients were controlled (serum sodium concentration greater than 128 mmol(mEq)/1) with a dose of 30 g urea daily, and two with 60 g daily. The patients who needed 30 g drank 1-2 1 of fluid daily, while those who needed 60 g drank up to 3.1 per day. No major side effects were noted, even after treatment periods of up to 270 days. These findings suggest that urea is a safe and efficacious treatment of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.