Nocturia is a pathologic condition that significantly affects the quality of sleep. The aetiology of
nocturia is multifactorial, and the evidence available on its management remains limited. Besides behavioural measures, validated
pharmaceutical treatment options exist but are, however, associated with marked side effects. Prospective clinical studies with
tablets prepared from the leaf press juice of the plant Bryophyllum pinnatum revealed a tendency towards reduction of micturition in patients with
overactive bladder (OAB) and several improvements in sleep quality. These observations are in part supported by in vitro and in vivo data. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of Bryophyllum 50% chewable
tablets in the treatment of
nocturia and associated
sleep disorders. Altogether, 49 women with idiopathic OAB and
nocturia of ≥2 voids/night were treated with Bryophyllum 50%
tablets for 3 weeks (350 mg chewable
tablets, dosage 0-0-2-2 oral
tablets; WELEDA AG, Arlesheim, Switzerland).
Nocturia, voiding volumes at night (ml), quality of life, sleep quality, and daily
sleepiness were assessed before and
after treatment with a 3-day micturition diary, the International Consultation on Incontinence evaluating
overactive bladder and related impact on quality of life (QoL) [ICIQ-OAB], the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Epworth
Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. The age of the study population was 68.5 ± 11.6 y.
After treatment,
nocturia diminished from 3.2 ± 1.4 to 2.3 ± 1.3 (P < 0.001) and the PSQI score decreased from 7.7 ± 3.7 to 6.6 ± 3.4 (P=0.004). Urgency, the ICIQ score, and the ESS lowered significantly, and the micturition volume showed a tendency to increase. No serious
adverse drug reactions were reported, and compliance was good. The results show a beneficial effect on the nocturnal voids and sleep quality of women with OAB. Bryophyllum 50%
tablets can be regarded as a well-tolerated alternative in the treatment of
nocturia and broaden the repertoire of standard management.