Oral Medications

There are many ways to manage bladder control problems. Remember, if conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you need, you have more options.

When lifestyle changes fail to deliver the results you want, oral medications are the next step. These medications can help control symptoms but may cause other issues.

You have to remember to take these medications every day. Some side effects can be unpleasant, such as dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, and hypertension. Other side effects are more serious. In fact, data suggests that one class of drugs for OAB (anticholinergics) may increase the risk of dementia in elderly people. Even more important, these medications don't always work. In one survey, 72% of people said they stopped taking their medication after just six months.

1. American Urological Association. Diagnosis and treatment of non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) in adults: an AUA/SUFU guideline. https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/idiopathic-overactive-bladder.

Accessed August 5, 2020.

2. Haab F, Castro‐Diaz D. (2005), Persistence with antimuscarinic therapy in patients with overactive bladder. Int J Clin Prac, 59: 931-937.

3. Gray S, Anderson M, Dublin S, et al. Cumulative use of strong anticholinergics and incident dementia. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(3):401-407.

4. Yeaw J, Benner J, Walt JG, et al. Comparing adherence and persistence across six chronic medication classes. J Manag Care Pharm. 2009:15(9): 724-736.