Neurogenic bladder is a neurological condition in which damage to the nerves that control the urinary bladder lead to an inability to store and void urine in the normal way. Spinal cord injury and diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer's disease can lead to neurogenic bladder. Symptoms of neurogenic bladder include urinating too often in small amounts, called overactive bladder, and trouble initiating urination, which is referred to as underactive bladder. There are prescription medications that can alleviate these symptoms.
Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
Oxybutynin is an oral prescription medication for the treatment of urinary frequency, urgency and leakage associated with neurogenic bladder. Oxybutynin works by relaxing the smooth muscle of the bladder thereby diminishing urinary urgency and controlling the frequency of urinary incontinence. Patients should be aware that oxybutynin may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Accordingly, they should exercise caution if it is necessary to drive a motor vehicle while taking this drug. In addition, oxybutynin may exacerbate the symptoms of coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension and enlarged prostate. Common side effects may include constipation, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, insomnia and rash.
Tolterodine (Detrol)
Tolterodine is available by prescription in capsule and tablet form and can treat the symptoms of overactive bladder such as incontinence and urinary frequency. Patients should not drive or do anything that requires full alertness until they know how tolterodine will affect them because it may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Serious side effects may include abnormal vision such as difficulty adjusting to distances, bloody or cloudy urine, and difficult, burning or painful urination. Patients who experience these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.
Bethanechol (Urecholine)
Doctors prescribe bethanechol for the treatment of a neurogenic lack of normal bladder muscle tone that makes it difficult for the patient to urinate. Bethanechol is a cholinergic drug that works by stimulating bladder contractions, thus facilitating urination. Patients with an underactive bladder can benefit from this medication. People with coronary artery disease, asthma or peptic ulcers should not take bethanechol. Side effects may include stomach upset, headache, facial flushing, malaise and a transient drop in blood pressure that occurs when the patient stands up after sitting or lying down.
