Detrolbelongs to a group of drugs called anti-muscarinics, it is used to treat overactive bladder. Detrolacts on the bladder to inhibit urinary tract contractions and hence, reduce the frequency of urination. The generic (chemical) name of Detrol is tolterodine. It is indicated for all symptoms of urinary incontinence including increased frequency, urgency, or urge incontinence or any combination of these.
How effective is Detrol in controlling my incontinence? How does it compare to other drug treatments?
Detrol is very effective in controlling incontinence. Studies have shown that people who took Detrol reduced the frequency of wetting accidents by about half. Also, those who took the drug used the bathroom less frequently and were able to pass more urine each time they used the bathroom (the frequent muscle contractions of an overactive bladder usually prevent the bladder from holding a normal amount of urine).
Detrol has a better side-effect profile than oxybutynin (other drug commonly used to treat incontinence), and therefore will be more well tolerated by the physician.
What are the potential side effects of Detrol?
The most common side effect will be dry mouth, this occurs in almost 23% of patients. Other common adverse effects include constipation, dry eyes and abdominal pain (these will occur in roughly 5% of patients).
Other less common events reported by 1% to less than 5% of patients treated with DETROL include the following. These are listed in order of decreasing frequency: abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, dyspepsia, upper respiratory tract infection, somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, flatulence, sinusitis, edema, pain, abnormal vision, and dysuria.
Overall, Detrol would be considered as having a safe side effect profile. Very rarely, a patient will discontinue treatment due to adverse effects.
Who should not take Detrol or take Detrol with Caution?
1)Patients with an eye disease called narrow angle glaucoma.
2)Patients with urinary retention, (the urine is being held up in the bladder)
3)Patients with gastric retention or GI motility disorders. (the food in the stomach is not emptying)
4)Pregnant or nursing women.
5)Patients with congenital or aquired QT prolongation. This is a heart disease that is observed as a lengthening in the interval of the heart rhythm (patients EKG). The patient should be carefully monitored and advised of drug interactions that may prolong his/her QT interval
6)Patients with reduced kidney or liver function. Usually, Detrol will be tolerated in these patients with a reduction in dosage.
Are there any drug interactions with Detrol?
It is important to advise your doctor and pharmacist of any medications that you are currently taking, there exists a number of potential drug interactions with Detrol.
Drugs to be careful of include the following:
1)Any Cholinesterase inhibitor (ex.Donepezil-Aricept), the patient uses for Alzheimer's disease. The combination of these drugs may result in worsening symptoms of the patients Alzheimer's (e.g. confusion, disorientation, delusion).
2)Any other Anti-muscarinic drug (i.e. any other drug in the same class as Detrol). This will result in increased side-effects of Detrol, i.e. increased dry mouth, constipation etc... The drugs to watch out for include diphenhydramine, trihexyphenidyl, benztropine, scopolamine, dicyclomine, and oxybutynin.
3)It is also advisabe to report to the physician any other medication that may induce drowsiness, these include tranquilizers and sedatives. Examples, include amitriptyline, nortiptyline, and chlorpromazine. All these medications may enhance the side-effects of Detrol.
4)Any azole antifungal (ketoconazole,itraconazole), any macrolide antibiotic (azithromycin, erythromycin). These may contribute to a potentially dangerous heart problem called a QT prolongation.
Detrol is a safe and effective medication with few drug interactions, however, it is highly advisable that the patient speaks to their physician and lets the physician be aware of all medications that he is currently taking, prior to starting Detrol therapy to avoid any potential interactions.
What happens if I overdose of Detrol?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Where can I get more information on Detrol?
For more information on Detrol, Detrol prescribed Patients, who are trying place an order for Detrol from an online pharmacy store can place their prescription order at CanadaDrugsOnline.com which is an online Canadian pharmacy store.
|
