Medicines for Bladder Control
Medicines for bladder control generally work by blocking signals that may cause muscle spasms in the bladder. A group of drugs called antispasmodics are usually the first drugs your doctor will consider
for treating bladder control problems. Another group of medicines, called tricyclic antidepressants, may be considered, although these drugs are primarily intended to treat depression. Tricyclic antidepressants can calm nerve signals and decrease spasms in the bladder muscles.
Antispasmodics
| Other Names for This Medicine |
| Brand Name |
Generic Name |
| Detrol |
tolterodine |
| Ditropan |
oxybutynin chloride |
| Enablex |
darifenacin |
| Levsin |
hyoscyamine |
| Sanctura |
trospium chloride |
| VESIcare |
solifenacin succinate |
Extended-release forms of oxybutynin and tolterodine are now available.
| Brand Name |
Generic Name |
| Detrol LA |
tolterodine extended release |
| Ditropan XL |
oxybutynin extended release |
Oxybutynin also comes in a patch that may decrease the side effects.
| Brand Name |
Generic Name |
| Oxytrol |
oxybutynin patch delivery system |
Side effects. Antispasmodics can cause your eyes to become sensitive to light. These medicines also keep you from sweating and can cause dry mouth. If you take any of these medicines, you may need to take a few steps to deal with side effects.
- Wear sunglasses if your eyes become more sensitive to light.
- Take care not to become overheated.
- Chew gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to avoid dry mouth.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
| Other Names for This Medicine |
| Brand Name |
Generic Name |
| Elavil |
amitriptyline |
| Pamelor |
nortriptyline |
| Sinequan |
doxepin |
| Tofranil |
imipramine |
Side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants can cause your vision to blur when you read, dry mouth, constipation, and light-headedness when you stand after sitting.
Antidiuretic
| Other Names for This Medicine |
| Brand Name |
Generic Name |
| DDAVP |
desmopressin |
| DDAVP Nasal Spray |
desmopressin |
| DDAVP Rhinal Tube |
desmopressin |
| DDVP |
desmopressin |
| Stimate Nasal Spray |
desmopressin |
Desmopressin is a man-made form of a natural hormone that your body makes. The hormone, called antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin, directs the kidneys to make less urine. The urine is
therefore more concentrated. Desmopressin is not usually prescribed for adult women with overactive bladder or stress incontinence. It is more often used to treat bedwetting in children. It is also used to treat a condition called diabetes insipidus.
Side effects. Desmopressin rarely causes side effects, but you should call your doctor if you have headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, reddening of the skin, a stuffy or runny nose, or pain in the genital area.
Interstitial Cystitis Medicine
| Other Names for This Medicine |
| Brand Name |
Generic Name |
| Elmiron |
pentosan polysulfate sodium |
Pentosan is approved to treat the symptoms of bladder pain, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency that characterize interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome. Doctors do not know exactly how it works, but one theory is that it may repair defects that might have developed in the lining of the bladder.
Side effects. Pentosan's side effects are limited primarily to minor gastrointestinal discomfort. A small minority of patients experience some hair loss, but hair grows back when they stop taking the drug. Researchers have found no negative interactions between pentosan and other medications.
Your doctor will order regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you take pentosan.
Because pentosan has not been tested in pregnant women, the manufacturer recommends that it not be used during pregnancy, except in the most severe cases.
All drugs—even those sold over the counter—have potential side effects. Patients should always consult a doctor before using any drug for an extended amount of time.
This publication may contain information about medications used to treat a health condition. When this publication was prepared, the NIDDK included the most current information available. Occasionally, new information about medication is released. For updates or for questions about any medications, please contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 1–888–INFO–FDA (463–6332), a toll-free call, or visit their website at www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
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Bethesda, MD 20892–3580
Phone: 1–800–891–5390
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1987, the Clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NKUDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about kidney and urologic diseases.
Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts.
This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
NIH Publication No. 07–4195
August 2007
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