Tolterodine
About
Tolterodine belongs to a class of medications known as antimuscarinic (muscarinic receptor blockers). Tolterodine is used for overactive bladder syndrome (it is a condition in which the bladder contracts muscles uncontrollably and urgent need to urinate, causing frequent urination and inability to control urination).
Tolterodine contains tolteradone. Tolterodine works by relaxing the urinary bladder muscles and prevents urgent, frequent, or uncontrolled urination.
Take Tolterodine as prescribed by your doctor. Depending on your medical conditions, you are advised to take Tolterodine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. You may experience dryness in the mouth, headache, constipation, sleepiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and dry skin. Most of these side effects of Tolterodine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Tolterodine, please inform your doctor if you have any allergies, glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that may cause vision loss), urinary retention (inability to empty your bladder completely or at all), or gastric retention (slow emptying of your stomach). Do not take this Tolterodine if you have liver, kidney, heart problems or constipation. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Uses of Tolterodine
Medicinal Benefits
Tolterodine belongs to a group of medications known as antimuscarinics. Tolterodine is used for overactive bladder syndrome (it is a condition in which the bladder contracts muscles uncontrollably and urgent need to urinate, causing frequent urination and inability to control urination). Tolterodine works by relaxing the urinary bladder muscles and prevents urgent, frequent, or uncontrolled urination.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Tolterodine
- Dryness in the mouth
- Headache
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Dry skin
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Tolterodine if you are allergic to Tolterodine or any contents of it. Before taking Tolterodine, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have kidney disease, liver disease, bladder blockage, controlled narrow-angle glaucoma, or stomach or bowel problems (including constipation), or a history of heart rhythm problems (including QT prolongation), gastrointestinal disorders, and myasthenia gravis (a long-term neuromuscular disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness). Tolterodine has lactose, so inform your doctor if you are intolerant to sugars. Tolterodine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. So, do not drive or operate any heavy machinery. It can increase body temperature by decreasing sweating. So, avoid hot weather or strenuous exercise as this may cause overheating leading to unwanted effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Care should be exercised when Tolterodine is administered in combination with antibiotics (containing, e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin), medicinal products used for the treatment of fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole), medicinal products used for the treatment of HIV, medicines for the treatment of irregular heartbeat (containing, e.g. amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine, procainamide), and other medication with a similar mode of action to Tolterodine (antimuscarinic properties) or medicines with an opposite mode of action to Tolterodine (cholinergic properties).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid taking grapefruit juice and alcohol with this Tolterodine.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Tolterodine may interact with disease conditions, including glaucoma, liver, kidney problems, myasthenia gravis, gastrointestinal disorders, and heart-related diseases (e.g. QT Prolongation).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol with Tolterodine.
Pregnancy
cautionTolterodine should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionCaution should be exercised, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using it.
Driving
unsafeNot safe because Tolterodine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, problems of blurred vision, or other vision problems. So, it may affect the ability to drive.
Liver
cautionTolterodine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionTolterodine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionThe safety of the Tolterodine is not determined in children. Therefore, always consult with your doctor before using the Tolterodine.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat fresh fruits like pears, bananas, and citrus fruits, and green vegetables like beans and potatoes.
- Try to take cranberry juice as it helps in minimizing urinary infections.
- Avoid coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks which contain caffeine.
- Do not consume processed, fried, or spicy foods, as these can irritate your bladder.
- Limit alcohol intake as it can increase the risk of side effects.
- Quit smoking and exercise regularly.
Special Advise
- Intake of Tolterodine can make you sweat less, thereby increasing the chance of having a heat stroke in summer. So avoid doing tasks which may cause you to overheat.
- Intake of Tolterodine may occasionally cause blurry vision and dizziness, so avoid driving a motor vehicle, operating heavy machinery, and performing hazardous tasks requiring mental alertness.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Overactive bladder syndrome: Overactive bladder syndrome may lead to a common and sudden need to urinate that may be difficult to control. You may feel like you want to pass urine many times during the night and day and may also experience accidental loss of urine. Although it is common among older adults, an overactive bladder is not a normal part of ageing. It might not be easy to talk about your symptoms, but if they disturb you or interrupt your life, inform your doctor.
FAQs
Tolterodine contains tolteradone. Tolterodine works by relaxing the urinary bladder muscles and prevents urgent, frequent, or uncontrolled urination.
Tolterodine did not relieve the symptoms of the overactive bladder when studied in children. So, its use in children is not mentioned.
It is unclear whether Tolterodine can cause dementia or not. However, according to some reports, when people with dementia were given Tolterodine, their symptoms (confusion and misunderstanding) became worse.
Tolterodine does not cure your condition but helps to control the symptoms of overactive bladder.
Patients who have urinary retention (unable to pass urine), have delayed emptying of stomach or blocked intestinal tract (toxic megacolon, ulcerative colitis, pyloric stenosis) or uncontrolled high pressure in the eyes (narrow-angle glaucoma).
Your symptoms may start increasing within one week of starting Tolterodine. After 5-8 weeks of treatment, maximum benefits may be seen. Your doctor may prescribe $n to you for a long term of up to 24 months to continue this improvement.
