If you experience frequent urinary urgency or find that you urinate more than eight times each day, you may have a condition called overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is typically the result of involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles, which signal the need to urinate. Your doctor can recommend a number of prescription medications that may help you manage symptoms associated with an overactive bladder.
Darifenacin
Darifenacin is a medication that blocks the chemical (acetylcholine) responsible for triggering bladder muscle spasms, which can decrease the urgent urinary symptoms experienced by patients with an overactive bladder. This medication is administered orally in tablet form. Common side effects of darifenacin include stomach upset, flu-like symptoms, weakness, dizziness, dry eyes or blurred vision.
Fesoterodine
Fesoterodine is an antimuscarinic medication that inhibits bladder contractions, decreasing the urinary frequency and urgency experienced by patients with an overactive bladder. This medication is orally administered (tablet) and can cause side effects that include constipation, dizziness, indigestion, stomach pain, dry mouth, blurred vision or dry eyes.
Oxybutynin
Oxybutynin is a medication that helps control symptoms associated with an overactive bladder by decreasing bladder and urinary tract muscle spasms. This medication is administered orally as either a tablet or a liquid. Common side effects associated with oxybutynin use include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, runny nose, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, dry eyes, blurred vision, weakness or dry mouth.
Solifenacin
Solifenacin is a muscarinic receptor antagonist medication that alleviates overactive bladder symptoms by controlling bladder muscle contractions. This medication is administered as an oral tablet and can cause side effects such as tiredness, indigestion, dry eyes or mouth, cough, dizziness, blurred vision or constipation.
Tolterodine
Tolterodine is an antimuscararinic medication that can be used to control overactive bladder symptoms, such as urinary urgency, leakage or frequency. This medication is administered orally and should be taken at the same time every day. Common side effects of tolterodine include stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, headache, altered vision, constipation, or dry eyes and mouth.
Trospium
Trospium is an antispasmodic and antimuscarinic medication used to treat symptoms associated with overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. This medication decreases the strength of the bladder muscles, which reduces the frequency of bladder contractions. Trospium is administered orally and should be taken on an empty stomach, either an hour before or two hours after eating a meal, explains Drugs.com. Side effects associated with trospium include dry mouth, drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, constipation, upset stomach or dry eyes.
