Tolterodine for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence.

Overview

INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) and its resultant urge urinary incontinence (UUI) are significant problems that medically, psychologically and financially affect people. The constellation of symptoms comprising OAB affects ∼ 16% of the adult population and its prevalence increases with aging. The typical class of medications used to treat OAB is antimuscarinics. AREAS COVERED: OAB medications, with a focus on tolterodine for the treatment of UUI are reviewed. A thorough review of English language literature using EMBASE/Medline and PubMed has been performed. EXPERT OPINION: Tolterodine provides a reasonable starting point when treating patients with OAB and UUI. Efficacy and tolerability are generally comparable between tolterodine and other newer antimuscarinics. Tolterodine is a good option as part of the algorithm in the treatment of OAB and UUI.