Medications for Incontinence

Medications may be indicated for the treatment of urinary incontinence. However, it is important to know that these medications may help relieve your symptoms, but they do not correct the primary cause why you are experiencing this condition. Medications may be a good short term solution to regain your independence and quality of life. These medications do have side effects. It is important for you to talk to your doctor to see if medications are right for you.

Anticholinergic and Antispasmotic Drugs

These types of medications are used to treat people with urge incontinence. They can help delay the initial urgency to void, stop the involuntary contractions of the bladder, and may improve the ability of the bladder to hold urine.

  • Propantheline (ProBanthine) - This is a very commonly prescribed medication, which may produce more side effects than some of the newer medications on the market.
  • Oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) - Ditropan XL is an extended release medication that appears to be very effective with less side effects. Extended release medications are beneficial because you take them less often, and they work longer tthroughout your day. Oxytrol also has a skin patch which is convenient and produces less side effects than some other incontinence medications.
  • Tolterodine (Detrol) - Detrol is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of urge incontinence. Detrol LA is an extended release medication that is effective and only taken once daily.
  • Darifenacin (Enablex) - The FDA approved this in 2004 for the treatment of urge incontinence. It has been shown to have fewer side effects relating to altered memory in elderly patients than other alternative medications.
  • Trospium chloride (SancturaZ)
  • Solifenacin Succinate (VESIcare)
  • Hyoscyamine (Levbid, Cystospaz)
  • Flavoxate (Urispas)
  • Dicyclomine (Bentyl)
  • Trospium Chloride
  • Toviaz


Side Effects of Anticholinergic and/or Antispasmotic Drugs

A small percentage of patients who take these medications can experience side effects. These types of medications are not usually prescribed to people with glaucoma, liver disorders, those who cannot pass urine (urinary retention) or with gastric disorders. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following side effects:

  • Dry mouth, dry eyes, or blurred vision
  • Headache, forgetfulness, hallucinations, or dizziness
  • Restlessness or insomnia
  • Constipation
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Weakness
  • Impotence


Alpha-Blocker Drugs

These medications may be prescribed for men with an enlarged prostate gland or conditions that block the passage of urine from the bladder to the urethra. They relax the muscles to allow urine flow and decrease the amount of abnormal bladder contractions.

  • Terazosin (Hytrin)
  • Domazosin (Cardura)
  • Tamsulosin (Flomax)
  • Alfzosin (Uroxatral)


5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

This type of medication can help shrink an enlarged prostate gland by decreasing the production of the male hormone DHT. Excess production of DHT has been linked to enlarged prostate in men. This allows urine to pass more easily around the prostate.

  • Finasteride (Proscar)
  • Utasteride (Avodart)


Alpha-adrenergic agonists

This type of medication is used to strengthen the smooth muscle that opens and closes the bladder. This type of drug is helpful to some patients with mild stress incontinence not caused by nerve damage, but by muscle weakness. This type of medication is generally not recommended for those with glaucoma, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Side effects include agitation, insomnia, and anxiety.

  • Clonidine (Catapres)


Antidepressant Drugs

Tricyclic antidepressants may help both urge and stress incontinence by relaxing the bladder muscle and strengthening the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the bladder. These drugs should be used cautiously as they can cause adverse side effects on the heart and lungs. It can cause drowsiness, dry eyes, dry mouth, headache, constipation, confusion/hallucinations, rapid heart rate, and may cause overflow incontinence in some individuals.

  • Imipramine (Tofranil)


Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor Drugs

SNRI Duloxetine (Cymbalta) has been approved in some countries to treat stress incontinence. There has been some evidence that it might be linked to suicidal thoughts.