Overactive Bladder - Overview

An overactive bladder is a common condition that causes physical discomfort, emotional symptoms such as embarrassment and decreased productivity. While an overactive bladder can seem like a permanent condition, several therapeutic interventions exist to help with overactive bladder treatment - one of which is prescription medications. People who might need prescription overactive bladder medications - or a prescription refill for medications, can use Push Health to connect with a local medical provider who can prescribe overactive bladder medications when appropriate to do so.

Overactive Bladder - Causes

An overactive bladder is a condition that affects millions of men and women in the US. Some people think that having an overactive bladder is always related to aging but that is generally not the case. Physiologically, people with an overactive bladder have a minimal amount of time from when the bladder is full of urine and when the body and brain signal an urgent need to urinate. This sense of urinary urgency can be caused by a variety of factors, including nerve damage, hormonal changes, pelvic muscle weakness, some medications, spinal cord issues, and even a urinary tract infection.

Overactive Bladder Symptoms

The overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is characterized by urinary urgency with or without urge incontinence. In other words, people with an overactive bladder often feel like they have an urgent need to pass urine but have trouble doing so. Sometimes, people with an overactive bladder have to urine more frequently or urinate at night and, at times, urine can leak out on its own. During a medical exam, questions that might be asked to understand the extent of the overactive bladder symptoms include questions about current health problems, medications, diet and past surgeries. Sometimes, additional interventions or diagnostic studies may be recommended.

Overactive Bladder Treatment

Overactive bladder symptoms can be difficult to treat. At times, lifestyle changes such as limiting certain foods, keeping a bladder diary, and different urination techniques may be recommended. For many people, overactive bladder medications - typically medications that belong to the anticholinergic drug class - may also be prescribed to help reduce overactive bladder symptoms. Complicated cases of an overactive bladder may require Botox, nerve stimulation or even surgery.

Overactive Bladder Medications

Prescription medications for overactive bladder symptoms can typically be prescribed by general practitioners and certain types of specialists. Examples of medications that might be prescribed to help with overactive bladder treatment include the following:

• Darifenacin (Enablex)
• Fesoterodine (Toviaz)
• Mirabegron (Myrbetriq)
• Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
• Tolterodine (Detrol)
• Trospium (Sanctura)
• Solifenacin (VESIcare)
• Vibegron (Gemtesa)

While medications designed to treat overactive bladder work for some people, they are not effective for everyone. The effectiveness of many overactive bladder medications can be improved when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Complicated cases may require therapeutic interventions such as Botox or even surgery.

Overactive Bladder Medication - Side Effects

Various side effects can occur while using medications for overactive bladder treatment. Because of this, the use of overactive bladder medications should be discussed with a qualified medical provider before starting the medications. Common side effects that result from overactive bladder treatment include dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, headache and fatigue. In general, most people should not drive or use heavy machinery while taking medication for an overactive bladder.

Overactive Bladder Resources

• Mayo Clinic - Overactive Bladder
• Medline - Overactive Bladder