The place of alpha-blocking drugs in the treatment of children with neuropathic bladders.

Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocking drug has been evaluated in the treatment of 14 children with neuropathic bladder dysfunction. The majority of children treated showed significant reductions of residual urine and urethral closure pressure. A useful clinical response in terms of improved bladder control was obtained in over half the patients. Children with mild radiological changes in the upper urinary tracts showed radiological improvement but those with marked changes did not improve. The drug is generally well tolerated but side-effects of postural hypotension, lethargy and nausea may occur.