Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures Urinary Incontinence in Men Slideshow Pictures Food & Drinks That Make You Gotta Go Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Stanley A Brosman, MD

Medical Editor:

Mary L Windle, Pharm D

Medical Editor:

Richard A Santucci, MD, FACS

Medical Editor:

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS

Medications

Stress incontinence results from a weak urinary sphincter. Medications that strengthen the urethral contraction include sympathomimetic drugs (such as Sudafed), estrogen (such as Premarin), and tricyclic antidepressant agents (such as Tofranil and Elavil), although none are overwhelmingly effective, and their use for treating stress incontinence are off-label indications.

Medical conditions that cause urge incontinence may be neurologic or nonneurologic. The urethra is healthy, but the bladder is hyperactive or overactive. Pharmacologic therapy for stress incontinence and an overactive bladder may be most effective when combined with a pelvic exercise regimen.

The three main categories of drugs used to treat urge incontinence include antispasmodic drugs (such as Bentyl, Levsin, Cystospaz, and Pro-Banthine), anticholinergic drugs (such as Enablex, VESIcare, Ditropan, Oxytrol, Detrol, and Sanctura), and tricyclic antidepressant agents (such as Tofranil and Elavil). You should not use anticholinergic drugs if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, bowel obstruction, ulcerative colitis, myasthenia gravis, or severe heart diseases. These medications can cause drowsiness. Anticholinergic drugs should not be taken with alcohol, sedatives, or hypnotic drugs.

When a single drug treatment does not work, a combination therapy such as oxybutynin (Ditropan) and imipramine (Tofranil) may be used, but side-effect risks should be reviewed with your physician.

In some cases, a medication called desmopressin (DDAVP) can be used to decrease nighttime urine production and help reduce nocturia.