What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for bladder and bowel incontinence include anticholinergic medications, beta3-adrenoceptor agonists, and herbal remedies like peppermint oil. Anticholinergic medications, such as tolterodine and oxybutynin, can cause dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and cognitive dysfunction. Beta3-adrenoceptor agonists like mirabegron may lead to increased blood pressure and urinary tract infections. Herbal remedies, including peppermint oil, are generally well-tolerated but can occasionally cause heartburn, allergic reactions, and interactions with other medications. Patients should discuss these potential side effects with their healthcare provider to determine the best treatment option.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for bladder and bowel incontinence include antispasmodic medications like oxybutynin and tolterodine, which work by relaxing the bladder muscles to prevent spasms. Amitriptyline, an antidepressant, is also used off-label for its pain-relieving properties in chronic bladder pain. While peppermint oil is being studied for its potential to relax smooth muscles and reduce spasms in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, it is not yet FDA-approved for this use. Other treatments include pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, which helps repair the bladder lining.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to peppermint oil for bladder and bowel incontinence include cannabinoids (such as nabiximols) and capsaicin. Cannabinoids may help manage pain and muscle spasticity, while capsaicin has shown potential in treating detrusor hyperreflexia and improving bladder function.

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Essential Oil

Peppermint Oil for Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in Children

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Heidi A. Stephany, MD

Research Sponsored by Children's Hospital of Orange County

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 8 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing whether peppermint oil can help children with bladder and bowel problems. Children will take peppermint oil capsules regularly for a few months. Researchers will check if their symptoms improve. Peppermint oil has been studied for its effects on irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal issues.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for children aged 8-17 who weigh at least 30kg and have bladder and bowel dysfunction not caused by nerve issues. They should have tried behavioral therapy without success and be able to swallow pills. It's not for kids with certain neurological conditions, severe urinary tract problems, learning disabilities, recent oxybutynin use, or gastrointestinal disorders.

What is being tested?

The study tests if peppermint oil capsules taken three times daily can improve symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction in children. The effectiveness will be measured using a questionnaire before starting treatment and after eight weeks of taking the oil.

What are the potential side effects?

While the trial information doesn't specify side effects, generally peppermint oil can cause heartburn, allergic reactions, flushing, headache and mouth sores when consumed in large doses.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 8 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~8 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 8 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Symptom score

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Peppermint OilExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Peppermint oil will be provided free of charge to participants under the trademark Pepogest produced by the maker Nature's Way® (dosage 0.2 mL, 181 mg peppermint oil).

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Peppermint Oil

2016

N/A

~50

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for bladder and bowel incontinence often target the relaxation of smooth muscles and reduction of spasms in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. For example, peppermint oil is being studied for its potential to relax smooth muscles and reduce spasms, which can alleviate symptoms of incontinence. This is crucial for patients as it can improve their quality of life by reducing the frequency and urgency of incontinence episodes. Other treatments, such as intravesical capsaicin, work by reducing suburothelial nerve densities, thereby decreasing detrusor hyperreflexia and improving bladder control. These mechanisms are important as they directly address the underlying causes of incontinence, providing more effective symptom management.

Effect of the extracts of pumpkin seeds on the urodynamics of rabbits: an experimental study.Intravesical capsaicin for treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia.Early capsaicin intervention for neurogenic bladder in a rat model of spinal cord injury.