The only over-the-counter medication approved for overactive bladder (OAB) is Oxytrol for Women (oxybutynin).
Treatment for Overactive Bladder
Our urologists treat patients with OAB with combinations of behavioral therapy, medication, and in severe cases, a therapy called Interstim, to treat overactive bladder. Another option is the injection of Botox into the bladder to relax and paralyze the overactive muscle.
Overactive bladder is caused by a malfunction of the detrusor muscle, which in turn can be cased by: Nerve damage caused by abdominal trauma, pelvic trauma or surgery. Bladder stones. Drug side effects.
Mirabegron works by relaxing the muscles around your bladder. This means your bladder can hold more liquid and reduces your need to pee as often or as urgently. This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as slow-release tablets (called "modified release" or "prolonged release").
Oxybutynin works by relaxing the muscles around your bladder. This means your bladder can hold more liquid and you do not need to pee as often or as urgently. Oxybutynin is only available on prescription.
Anticholinergic Medications
The newer preparations such as darifenacin (Enablex®), solifenacin (Vesicare®) and transdermal oxybutynin (Oxytrol patch®) have the advantage of fewer side effects as they are extended release preparations.
Tolterodine is used treat overactive bladder (a condition in which the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably and cause frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and inability to control urination). Tolterodine is in a class of medications called antimuscarinics.
The drug desmopressin (DDAVP) reduces urine production at night.
Botulinum toxin
For OAB symptoms, the toxin is injected into the lining of the bladder to reduce the activity of the nerves which cause the symptoms. This treatment may improve urgency, frequency of urinating, and urgency incontinence.
If you have overactive bladder (OAB), more fluid intake typically equals more trips to the bathroom. If those fluids are carbonated, they may aggravate your symptoms even more. Keep in mind that too little fluid intake also isn't ideal.
Drinking too much fluid during the evening can cause you to urinate more often during the night. Caffeine and alcohol after dinner can also lead to this problem. Other common causes of urination at night include: Infection of the bladder or urinary tract.
Sudden stress (pressure) on your bladder causes stress incontinence. Common causes include coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting and physical activity. Younger and middle-aged women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) near or experiencing menopause are most likely to have stress incontinence.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common syndrome associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), especially urinary incontinence in children, which may affect the patient's quality of life (QoL). Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to be associated with OAB syndrome.
Drink plenty of fluids during the day (especially water), but limit fluids 2-4 hours before you go to sleep. Be sure to limit alcohol and caffeine (soda, tea and coffee). Manage your use of diuretics. If you have to take a diuretic, then do so at least 6 hours before you go to sleep.
Other medications prescribed for overactive bladder include darifenacin (Enablex), fesoterodine (Toviaz), mirabegron (Myrbetriq), solifenacin (Vesicare), tolterodine (Detrol), and trospium (Sanctura).
Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) interfere with the mast cells' release of histamine, helping to relieve bladder inflammation and pain, urinary frequency, and nighttime voiding.