Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center
Treatment Options for Overactive Bladder
Drugs for Overactive Bladder continued...
Anticholinergic drugs include:
- Detrol LA
- Ditropan XL, also available as a patch called Oxytrol and gel called Gelnique.
- Enablex
- Sanctura
- Vesicare
These drugs work about the same in treating overactive bladder, and generally people tolerate all of them well. The main side effect is dry mouth, but anticholinergics also can cause constipation, blurred vision, and increased heartbeat.
Anticholinergics aren't right for everyone. Some people with glaucoma, urinary retention, or gastrointestinal disease should avoid using anticholinergic drugs.
Another type of drug for overactive bladder is the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil), which also relaxes bladder muscles.
Studies have found that the lack of estrogen that occurs after menopause can affect urination, and some women are treated for OAB with estrogen. However, there isn’t strong evidence to show that estrogen is an effective treatment for OAB. Sometimes overactive bladder treatment for men includes a type of blood pressure medication called alpha-blockers, but again, the research on these drugs isn’t conclusive.
Promising new overactive bladder drugs include:
- Botox. A toxin produced by bacteria in the soil is being used for everything from removing wrinkles to treating migraine headaches. Research suggests that injecting Botox into the bladder might relax the muscles enough to give OAB patients relief.
- Capsaicin. This substance, which is the active ingredient in chili peppers, desensitizes nerves in the bladder.
In rare cases when all OAB treatment fails and overactive bladder is severe, doctors may recommend surgery. A procedure called bladder augmentation uses part of the bowel to increase bladder capacity. Another procedure implants a small device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin. The device is connected to a wire, which sends small electrical pulses to the sacral nerves at the base of the spine that control the bladder and muscles surrounding it.
Whatever treatment for overactive bladder you and your doctor decide upon, it's important that you stick with it. If you do, chances are your condition will improve in time.
WebMD Medical Reference
ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
- · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
- · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENBLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENBALEX affects you.
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center
