Drugs. Drugs are most often the cause of temporary incontinence.
- Drugs that affect the adrenergic system (a nerve-cell and hormonal pathway that regulates the sphincter muscle) are common causes of incontinence. For example, alpha-adrenergic blockers, such as terazosin (Hytrin), used for benign prostatic hypertrophy, can cause incontinence by over-relaxing the muscles. On the other hand, men with enlarged prostates who suffer from urinary problems may be helped by the increase of urine flow after using terazosin.
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists, such as pseudoephedrine (found in some oral decongestants) strengthen the muscles and may cause overflow incontinence in susceptible people.
- Beta-adrenergic blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal), prescribed for hypertension and angina, relax the sphincter.
- Diuretics, used for high blood pressure, often rapidly introduce high urine volumes into the bladder.
- Calcium-channel blockers can cause overflow incontinence by relaxing the bladder detrusor muscles.
- Colchicine, a drug used for gout, can cause urge incontinence.
- Other medications and substances that increase the risk for incontinence are caffeine, sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antihistamines.
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