Medicines and urinary symptoms

Prescription and nonprescription medicines can make it difficult or even impossible for you to urinate. The degree of urinary difficulty will vary from person to person. Men are more likely than women to have urinary problems after starting a new medicine.

Medicines that can cause problems with urination include:

• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil or Tofranil.
• Medicines to prevent nausea, such as Compazine or Phenergan.
• Antihistamines or medicines that contain antihistamines, such as Actifed, Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, or Tavist.
• Antiarrhythmics, such as Norpace.
• Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil or diltiazem.
• Gastrointestinal medicines, such as Donnatal, Librax, Lomotil, or Pro-Banthine.
• Opiates, such as meperidine (Demerol, for example) or morphine.
• Psychotropic medicines, such as phenothiazines.
• Decongestants, such as neosynephrine (Sudafed).

If you develop a urinary problem after taking a medicine:

• Call the health professional who prescribed the medicine to determine whether you should stop taking it or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.
• If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking the medicine. Call your health professional if you feel you need to continue taking the medicine.