Stress incontinence is marked by the unintentional loss or urine. Physical movement or activities, such as coughing, sneezing, heavy lifting or any movement that puts stress on the bladder, can trigger the problem. Stress incontinence is more common in women than men, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition can be embarrassing and annoying, but medications can help.
Antimuscarinic or Anticholinergic Drugs
One primary treatment for stress incontinence is antimuscarinic, also known as anticholinergic, drugs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Antimuscarinic drugs block bladder contractions, preventing involuntary loss of urine. Common forms of antimuscarinic drugs include oxybutynin, tolterodine, enablex, sanctura, vesicare and oxytrol. Ocybutynin and tolterodine are the two most commonly prescribed drugs of this kind. Reported side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, headache, constipation or abdominal pain.
Alpha-adrenergic Agonist Drugs
Alpha-adrenergic agonist drugs are also prescribed to treat stress incontinence. This class of drugs helps to strengthen the sphincter muscle and reduce the occurrence of incontinence. Phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine are forms of alpha-adrenergic agonists. Phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine are common ingredients in many over-the-counter medications, however you should not take those medications as a form of treatment without consent from your doctor. Those over-the-counter medications are not pure forms of these drugs and may contain other ingredients that can cause a negative reaction. In some cases, doctors have prescribed anticyclic depressants, such as imipramine, to treat stress incontinence. Imipramine works in a similar way to alpha-adrenergic agonists, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Estrogen Therapy
Although it is not a treatment designed specifically for stress incontinence, some doctors have used estrogen therapy to treat incontinence in postmenopausal women. Estrogen generally reduces urinary frequency, urgency and burning by strengthening the sphincter muscles and improving blood supply to the urethra. All physicians do not agree on the effectiveness of estrogen therapy in treating stress incontinence, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Women with a history of uterine or breast cancer are advised against using estrogen therapy as a treatment for incontinence.
