Health Library Anticholinergics and Antispasmodics for Urinary Incontinence in MenFrom Healthwise

These medicines calm the nerves that control bladder muscles. They may prevent uncontrollable bladder contractions that force urine out of the bladder.

Antispasmodics and anticholinergics are used to control the symptoms of urge incontinence. These medicines may also be used to treat stress incontinence, especially if you have both stress and urge incontinence.

These medicines can help men control urge incontinence. Typically, men who take these medicines can hold their urine for a longer time. And when they do have the urge to urinate, it is not as strong as it is without medicine.¹

Side effects vary with some of these medicines and include:

• Dry mouth.
• Headache.
• Decreased sweating, skin rash.
• Nausea, constipation.
• Eye problems.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Skin rash.
• Drowsiness, confusion.
• Nervousness.
• Urinary retention.

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

If you have the eye disease glaucoma, it is important for you to talk with your ophthalmologist before you start taking anticholinergics. People who have glaucoma may need to be watched more closely while they are taking anticholinergic medicines.

Some of these medicines may cause you to sweat less. In hot weather, this could lead to heat exhaustion. Ask your doctor whether you should be careful about being physically active in hot conditions.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Nitti VW, Blaivas JG (2007). Urinary incontinence: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and management overview. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 9th ed., vol. 3, pp. 2046–2078. Philadelphia: Saunders-Elsevier.

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: July 21, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
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