Q: What are the most common side affects of bladder-control medications?
A: Overactive bladder, one of the causes of urge incontinence can be treated by one of several drugs - Oxybutynin (Ditropan), Tolterodine (Detrol), Darifenacin (Enablex), Solifenacin (Vesicare), Trospium (Sanctura), and Fesoterodine (Toviaz).
The most common side effect of this class of medication is dry mouth. To counteract this effect, patients are encouraged to chew gum or suck on a piece of candy to produce more saliva. Other less common side effects include constipation, heartburn, blurry vision, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), urinary retention and cognitive side effects such as impaired memory and confusion.
Some of the above mediations are available in an extended-release form, meaning that they are taken once a day. These may have fewer side effects than the immediate-release versions, which are usually taken multiple times a day. Still, the immediate-release form may be helpful if a patient experiences incontinence only at certain times, such as at night, or if the patient wants to take a medication only at certain times, such as when you travel. Oxybutynin is also available as a cream or skin patch that delivers a continuous amount of medication and has been known to cause skin irritations.
Lynn Harrelson is a pharmacist who specializes in medication and prescription management for seniors.
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