Urinating at inappropriate moments can be quite a humiliating experience. A leaky bladder may be due to weakened bladder muscles, a urinary tract infection, medications or bladder irritation, says the Mayo Clinic. Post-menopausal women and pregnant women may be predisposed to a leaky bladder. Certain pelvic exercises such as Kegel exercises and bladder training options are available. However, medications also exist to manage a leaky bladder.
Tolterodine
Tolterodine belongs to a category of medicines called antimuscarinics, says MedlinePlus. Specifically, this drug prevents the bladder from contracting.
Tolterodine's common side effects include blurry vision, a dry mouth, a headache, stomach problems, dizziness and dry eyes. This drug also leads to constipation. Inform a doctor when tolterodine's side effects remain for more than seven days and she may adjust the dosage to prevent these effects from occurring. Tolterodine's serious side effects include chest pain, a rash and trouble urinating. Call a doctor at once as soon as tolterodine causes these effects.
Taking tolterodine with such drugs as ketoconazole, erythromycin, fluconazole or itraconazole may lead to serious drug interactions. Tell a physician of any prescription and non-prescription medications taken, prior to taking tolterodine.
Tolterodine is available as a tablet or an extended-releases capsule. It is taken two times daily or as directed.
Trospium
Trospium is an antimuscarinic and antispasmodic drug which works to make the bladder flaccid, so it doesn't contract as much, according to Drugs.com.
Trospium's common side effects include blurry vision, constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, a headache and stomach problems. Inform a doctor when trospium's common effects remain for more than a week. Trospium's serious side effects include trouble urinating and an uneven or irregular heartbeat. In some cases, an allergic reaction to trospium may occur. Such a reaction is characterized by trouble breathing, chest tightness and itching; call 911 if any of these occur.
People who have stomach problems, problems urinating, ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease), muscle weakness or glaucoma (high eye pressure), should not be taking trospium as it may worsen these medical problems.
Trospium is available as a tablet or extended-release capsule. Take trospium as instructed.
Imipramine
Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used to curb bedwetting in children, says MedlinePlus.
Imipramine's common side effects include nausea, constipation, drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, dry mouth and nightmares. Imipramine can also cause blurry vision, changes in sex drive, frequent urination, light sensitivity and anxiety. These effects should not last for more than one week, but call a doctor if imipramine's effects do.
Imipramine's serious effects include slow speech, an irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a sore throat, fever and back, neck or jaw muscle spasms. Imipramine can also lead to a severe rash and trouble swallowing or breathing. Call a doctor immediately when imipramine causes these effects.
Imipramine is a tablet or capsule taken once a day or as prescribed.
