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- Bladder control problems in women: How to seek treatment
- Bladder control problems: Medications for treating urinary incontinence
- Urinary incontinence: Incontinence products to help keep you dry
- see all in Treatments and drugs
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continued:
Bladder control problems: Medications for treating urinary incontinence
Promising new therapies
Researchers are looking into new drugs and therapies, including botulinum toxin type A (Botox).
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Botulinum toxin type A. Injections of botulinum toxin type A into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. Botulinum toxin type A blocks the actions of acetylcholine and paralyzes the bladder muscle.
Studies have found that botulinum toxin type A significantly improves symptoms of incontinence and causes few side effects. Benefits can last up to nine months. Botulinum toxin type A may be helpful for people who haven't responded to other medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved this drug for incontinence.
The FDA warns that adverse reactions including respiratory arrest and death may occur following the use of botulinum toxin type A for both approved and unapproved uses.
See your doctor
When talking to your doctor, carefully review all the medications you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies. Some medications increase bladder control problems. Others may interact with incontinence medications in a way that increases symptoms. Your doctor can help you decide if you need medicine to treat your bladder control problem, and if so, which one may be best for you.
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- Urge urinary incontinence/overactive bladder. National Association for Continence. http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/types-of-incontinence/urge-incontinence. Accessed April 10, 2009.
- Non-surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. National Association for Continence. http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/types-of-incontinence/stress-incontinence/non-surgical-treatment-for-female-stress-urinary-incontinence. Accessed April 10, 2009.
- How medications affect your bladder. National Association for Continence. http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/types-of-incontinence/urge-incontinence/medications. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- DuBeau, CE. Treatment of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Herbruck LF. Stress urinary incontinence: An overview of diagnosis and treatment options. Urology Nursing. 2008;28:186.
- Karsenty G, et al. Botulinum toxin A (Botox) intradetrusor injections in adults with neurogenic detrusor overactivity/neurogenic overactive bladder: A systematic literature review. European Association of Urology. 2008;53:275.
- Cartwright R, et al. Management of overactive bladder. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;20:489.
- Information for healthcare professionals: Desmopressin acetate (marketed as DDAVP Nasal Spray, DDAVP Rhinal Tube, DDAVP, DDVP, Minirim and Stimulate Nasal Spray). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/CDER/DRUG/InfoSheets/HCP/desmopressinHCP.htm. Accessed April 10.
- MacDonald R, et al. Neurotoxin treatments for urinary incontinence in subjects with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of effectiveness and adverse effects. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 2008;31:157.
- Pettit PDM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. April 26, 2009.
- Klingele CJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 27, 2009.
- FDA requires boxed warning for all botulinum toxin products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02005.html. Accessed May 1, 2009.
