Overview
There are a variety of medications that are used to treat urinary urge incontinence and urinary frequency and urgency. These medications work primarily through relaxation of the bladder muscle to reduce the bladder contractions that cause incontinence. The common side effects are dry mouth, dry eyes and constipation. These medications are only effective in treating urinary urge incontinence and will not treat stress urinary incontinence.
Considerations
Anyone who is bothered by frequency, urgency or urinary urge incontinence.
Effectiveness
65% of patients will experience improvement in the number of voids per day, voided volumes, and number of urinary urge incontinent episodes. Often the first medication tried is ineffective while the second or possibly third will improve symptoms.
Risks
These medications are generally well tolerated, however the common side effects listed above may occur in as many as 20% of women.