Loss of bladder control can be a serious problem, impacting every aspect of your life. The anxiety, embarrassment and discomfort of incontinence is often underestimated. Loss of bladder control can be caused by trauma, such as childbirth or prostate surgery, or can be caused by overactive bladder, or OAB. Thirteen million people in the United States are affected by some kind of bladder control issue; men and women are equally affected, the Urology Channel states. Many drugs are available to help with this problem.
Anticholinergics
Many of the drugs used for bladder control loss are anticholinergics, also known as antimuscarinics. Anticholinergics work in two ways. They block acetylcholine, which triggers the need to urinate when your bladder isn't full. Anticholinergics also relax smooth muscle, reducing contractions in the deltrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder, NetDoctor states.
There are a number of anticholinergic drugs on the market; some of the most commonly used are Oxybutynin, sold as Ditropan. Oxybutynin is sold in a cream or skin patch form as well as pill form. Tolterodine, sold as Detrol, Fesoterodine , sold as Toviaz, darifenacin (Enablex) solifenacin (Vesicare) and trospium (Sanctura) are other common types of anticholingergic drugs used for bladder control. Symptoms of anticholinergics include dry mouth, constipation, increased blood pressure, urinary retention and dry eyes. Anticholinergics should not be used by people with narrow angle glaucoma or kidney, liver or stomach problems.
Anti-depressants
Imipramine, sold as Tofranil, is an anti-depressant drug. Because it can cause drowsiness, it's often taken at night. Tofranil is used to control bed wetting and is also useful for stress incontinence as it tightens the neck of the bladder while relaxing the bladder wall. Imipramine can cause an irregular heartbeat, lightheadness, fainting or dizziness from low blood pressure, as well as symptoms that occur with anticholinergics.
Duloxetine, brand name Yentreve, is an anti-depressant also used to treat stress incontinence. The drug works by increasiing muscle tone in the urinary sphincter, making stress incontinence less likely. Nausea, dry mouth, sleeping difficulties and fatigue are side effects of the drug.
Anti-diuretic Hormone
Desmopressin is a synthetic version of anti-diuretic hormone, or ADH. Desmopressin decreases urine production, especially at night. Deficiency of anti-diuretic hormone can result in frequent night-time urination or bed wetting. The drug is available in pill or nasal spray form. Side effects include headache, abdominal pain and nausea. Water retention, which can be severe, may also occur.
Estrogen
As women age, estrogen levels decrease. Lack of estrogen can cause muscle relaxation in the pelvis, which can contribute to urinary incontinence in some women. Estrogen creams or other vaginal preparations can help reduce incontinence. Oral estrogen does not help and might worsen incontinence, the Mayo Clinic states.
Botulinum Toxin Type A
Research is currently being done on botulinum toxin type A use for urinary incontinence. Also known as Botox, this drug may be injected into the bladder wall for relief of symptoms that lasts up to 9 months, according to the Mayo Clinic. Botox works by paralyzing the bladder muscle and blocking acetylcholine transmission. Serious side effects can occur; the drug may cause respiratory arrest and death in rare cases.
