Examples

How It Works

Anticholinergic medicines block nerves that control bladder muscle contractions and allow for relaxation of the bladder smooth muscle. These actions work together to help control urge urinary incontinence.

Why It Is Used

Anticholinergic medicines are used to treat urge incontinence and overactive bladder.

How Well It Works

These medicines rarely cure urge incontinence or overactive bladder. In general, people taking these medicines had about 5 fewer trips to the toilet and 4 fewer leakage episodes each week. People taking these medicines also felt they had a better quality of life.¹

Adding these medicines to behavioral therapies like bladder training can help symptoms of urge incontinence and overactive bladder more than behavioral treatment alone.²

Side Effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Hives.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have:

• Vision problems.
• Bloody or cloudy urine.
• Pain or burning when you urinate.
• Problems with urination, including difficulty beginning to urinate, a urine stream that stops and starts, a weak urine stream, a need to strain while urinating, or a sense that the bladder is not empty after urination.
• A dry mouth for more than 2 weeks.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

• Dry mouth, nose, throat, and eyes.
• Dizziness.
• Drowsiness.
• Belly pain, upset stomach, or nausea.
• Constipation.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About