Learning About Bladder-Control Medications

Bladder-control problems are not uncommon and we often see commercials on television advertising bladder-control medications. With the recent awareness of this condition and the medications used to treat it, how do you choose the best one for you? This article's primary focus is to help you learn about the bladder-control medication types available so that if this medical issue ever affects you, you are informed about the medications available so that you can be prepared when you are working with your health care provider to choose a treatment.

Spasm-Relieving and Anticholinergic Medications

Vesicare and Enablex are two popular medications that fall under this category. This type of medication is prescribed to help relieve what is known as urge incontinence. They reduce how much urine your bladder is able to hold, as well as reduce the pressure related with an urge to urinate.

Alpha-Adrenergic Stimulators

Sudafed is actually this type of drug and the Food and Drug Administration has yet to give their approval to use this type of drug for bladder control, but health care providers may still prescribe for this use. In terms of bladder control, this type of medication relaxes the bladder wall and constricts the sphincter muscle, which in turn, helps your bladder retain urine.

Cholinergic Medications

Duvoid is a popular medication in this category. When your bladder issues stem from your bladder not completely emptying, this type of medication may be prescribed. This type of medication allow complete bladder emptying by contracting the bladder.

Choosing the Right Bladder-Control Medication for Me

First, you and your health care provider will work to determine which bladder control issue you have. For example, is the problem incomplete emptying or urge incontinence? Next, you will look at your medical history to make sure the medications you are looking at will not interact with any current medications or are contraindicated with any of your other medical conditions. For example, cholinergic medications may not be right for those with asthma or hyperactive thyroid.

You will then determine which medication in the specific category (such as anticholinergic) to try. Your health care provider should discuss potential side effects with you and any other possible concerns he or she has. Make sure to ask any questions that you have.

It often takes a little time for medications to work at their full capacity. Your health care provider should go over this with you and have you come in for a follow-up visit to determine how well the medication you both decided on is working.

Resources

Mayo Clinic: Urinary Incontinence