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IncontinenceNetwork.com

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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Incontinence Drug Information

Once you’ve been diagnosed with incontinence or an overactive bladder, your doctor may prescribe a specific drug regimen. Consult our overview of the types and classes of medications available, the majority of which are for urge incontinence. Also, learn more about individual incontinence medications and their side effects.

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  • Incontinence Medications
    A number of medications are available that increase sphincter or pelvic muscle strength or relax the bladder, making it able to hold more urine. Medications are prescribed for all kinds of incontinence, but they are generally most helpful for urge incontinence.
  • Bentyl Oral
    This medication is used to treat a certain intestinal problem (irritable bowel syndrome) when other treatments have not worked (e.g., diet changes, anxiety treatment). Dicyclomine belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics/antispasmodics. It works by decreasing intestinal cramping.
  • Cardura XL Oral
    This medication is used to treat the symptoms of a condition of the prostate gland called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as enlarged prostate). It is an alpha blocker that works by relaxing the muscles in the bladder neck and prostate. Relaxing these muscles leads to relief of symptoms of BPH such as the feeling of needing to urinate frequently or urgently, weak stream, difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, and the need to urinate during the middle of the night.
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  • Detrol Oral
    This medication is used to treat an overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, tolterodine improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom. This medication belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
  • Detrol LA Oral
    This medication is used to treat an overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, tolterodine improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom. This medication belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
  • Ditropan Oral
    Oxybutynin is used to treat certain bladder and urinary conditions (e.g., overactive bladder). It relaxes the muscles in the bladder to help decrease problems of urgency and frequent urination. Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
  • Ditropan XL Oral
    This is a long-acting form of oxybutynin that is used to treat overactive bladder and urinary conditions. It relaxes the muscles in the bladder to help decrease problems of urgency and frequent urination. Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
  • Enablex Oral
    This medication is used to treat an overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, darifenacin improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom. This medication belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
  • Entocort EC Oral
    This medication is used to treat mild to moderate symptoms of a bowel condition called Crohn's disease. While budesonide does not cure this condition, it may help relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain and soft/liquid stools and may decrease the need for anti-diarrhea medications. Budesonide is a corticosteroid that works by decreasing swelling (inflammation).
  • Flomax Oral
    This medication is used to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as enlarged prostate). Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker that works by relaxing the muscles in the bladder neck and prostate. Relaxing these muscles leads to relief of symptoms of BPH such as the feeling of needing to urinate frequently or urgently, weak stream, difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, and the need to urinate during the middle of the night.
  • Hytrin Oral
    Terazosin is used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
  • Levsin Oral
    Hyoscyamine is used to treat a variety of stomach/intestinal problems such as cramps, infant colic, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used to treat other conditions such as bladder and bowel control problems, cramping pain caused by kidney stones and gallstones, and Parkinson's disease. In addition, it is used to decrease side effects of certain medications (drugs used to treat myasthenia gravis) and insecticides.
  • Norpramin Oral
    Desipramine is used to treat depression. This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. This medication belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by restoring the balance of a certain natural substance (norepinephrine) in the brain.
  • Pamelor
    This medication is used to treat mental/mood problems such as depression. It may help improve mood and feelings of well-being, relieve anxiety and tension, help you sleep better, and increase your energy level. This medication belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by affecting the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
  • Sanctura Oral
    This medication is used to treat the symptoms of overactive bladder. It may improve symptoms such as increased frequency, the need to urinate, and your body's inability to control the need to urinate (urge incontinence). Trospium is a smooth muscle relaxant.
  • Sinequan Oral
    This medication is used to treat mental/mood problems such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. It may help improve mood and feelings of well-being, relieve anxiety and tension, help you sleep better, and increase your energy level. This medication belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by affecting the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
  • Sudafed Oral
    Pseudoephedrine is used for the temporary relief of nose, sinus, and ear congestion caused by the common cold, allergies, or infection. Pseudoephedrine is called a sympathomimetic and works by decreasing swelling of nose and ear tissues.
  • Tofranil Oral
    This medication is used to treat depression. It is also used with other therapies for the treatment of nighttime bed-wetting (enuresis) in children. Using this medication to treat depression may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. Imipramine can help your child control nighttime bed-wetting.
  • Urispas Oral
    This medication is used to treat certain bladder/urinary tract symptoms. Flavoxate is a smooth-muscle relaxant. It works by relaxing the muscles in the bladder. Flavoxate helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, frequent trips to the bathroom, and bladder pain. This medication does not treat the cause of your bladder symptoms (e.g., urinary tract/bladder/prostate infection or inflammation).
  • VESIcare Oral
    This medication is used to treat an overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, solifenacin improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom. This medication belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics.