What Drugs Are Used for Bladder Control?
An overactive bladder can cause embarrassment and place limitations on lifestyle. Medications are available to treat an overactive bladder. Doctors prescribe specific medications based on the cause of incontinence.
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Anticholinergics
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Anticholinergics reduce the effectiveness of the naturally occurring chemical acetylcholine. Excess acetylcholine causes the muscles around the bladder to contract and excrete urine unexpectedly.
Hormones
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Some women experience incontinence during and after menopause. Hormonal changes cause deterioration of muscles that support bladder function. Estrogen supplements restore muscle tissue and improve bladder function. Incontinence caused by overproduction of urine can be treated with the synthetic hormone desmopressen.
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Antidepressants
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The tricyclic antidepressant Imiprimine is sometimes used to treat an overactive bladder. Imiprimine causes the muscles around the neck of the bladder to contract, which holds urine in. It also causes the muscles around the top of the bladder to relax. This prevents urine from being pushed out.
Stress
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Obese people and women who have had several pregnancies may experience a loss of bladder-muscle control. This is called stress incontinence. Kegal exercises can help women cure stress incontinence. Imiprimine also effectively treats stress incontinence.
Risks
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People who use medications to control an overactive bladder retain urine. Prolonged urine retention can lead to sodium deficiency. Rarely, this condition causes seizure, brain swelling and potentially death.
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