Abstract

ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUG THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH OVER ACTIVE BLADDER CONDITION

Ashmi Salam*, Rani Manju, Pheba Susan Thomas and Dr. Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Many peoples have symptoms of overactive bladder. A person with overactive bladder syndrome feels a very strong urge to pass urine. Other common problems are a feeling of urinate often during the day or night, or both. This problem seems to be caused by an overactive bladder muscle, and it becomes more common with ageing. Treatments are only the conservative measures, such as drugs. Anticholinergic drugs can reduce the overactivity of the bladder muscle and the feeling of urgency. The review found that there are several anticholinergic drugs prescribed for patient with overactive bladder symptoms. The two most prescribed drugs are oxybutynin and tolterodine. These two drugs have similar effects but, those who taking oxybutynin were more likely to withdraw the drug because of adverse effects, mainly dry mouth. However, both drugs can give dry mouth and this problem is less likely if an extended- release formulation of either drug is used. Two newer drugs are Solifenacin and Fesoterodine. Solifenacin has a better effect and less risk of dry mouth compared to tolterodine. Fesoterodine has a better effect than extended release tolterodine but withdrawal of drug due to adverse effects mainly dry mouth.

Keywords: Over active bladder, signs and symptoms, anticholinergic drugs, detrusor overactivity, adverse effect.