People with urinary incontinence are unable to control loss of urine. This condition can affect men and women. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, urinary incontinence is more common in women than in men. There are different types of urinary incontinence and medications used to treat this disorder in men are selected based on the type of urinary incontinence present. The cause of this problem is also taken into consideration during medication selection.
Tolterodine
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearing House explains that physicians may prescribe tolterodine for men who have urinary incontinence. This drug belongs to a class of medicines called anti-spasmodics. Tolterodine has the ability to reduce a person's urge to urinate, if they have urge continence--a type of urinary incontinence in which the bladder contracts involuntarily leading to a strong urge to urinate and unintended loss of urine. This drug provides relief from urge incontinence because it is able to relax the muscles of the bladder. One common side effect of this drug is dry mouth.
Dutasteride
Dutasteride belongs to a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It is used to treat urinary continence caused by an enlarged prostate--this condition is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. The prostate gland is found below the bladder and around the urethra--tube through which urine in the bladder flows out of the body--in men. When it gets larger than normal, it causes urge incontinence which consequently interferes with flow of urine out of the bladder; as well as, dribbling and leakage of urine. Dutasteride does not provide immediate relief from incontinence. However, it treats this problem by shrinking an enlarged prostate gland. Side effects of this drug include erectile dysfunction, reduced desire forsex or decreased libido and breast enlargement.
Tamsulosin
Alpha adrenergic blockers such as tamsulosin are used to treat urinary incontinence caused by an enlarged prostate, abnormal bladder contractions or obstruction of the bladder outlet. This medication works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the prostate gland. It also treats this problem by relaxing the neck of the bladder--to enable flow of urine. Tamsulosin takes several days or weeks to become effective. Tamsulosin can cause undesired effects such as low blood pressure, tiredness, weakness and dizziness.
