Tolterodine ER: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
tolterodine ER if you have:
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Glaucoma
- Digestive problems (especially those that involve slow emptying of food from the stomach)
- Difficulty passing urine
- An enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How Does Tolterodine ER Work?
Tolterodine ER belongs to a group of medications known as anticholinergics or antimuscarinics. The drug works by binding to specific receptors in the bladder, called muscarinic receptors, which helps the muscles of the bladder to relax. Since an
overactive bladder is often due to bladder muscle
contractions that are too frequent and uncontrollable, tolterodine ER can help relieve many of the symptoms of
bladder problems.
Effects of Tolterodine ER
Studies have shown tolterodine ER to be effective in treating several symptoms of an overactive bladder. In studies, people who took the drug reduced the frequency of wetting accidents by about half. Also, those who took tolterodine ER used the bathroom less frequently and were able to pass more urine each time (the frequent muscle contractions of an overactive bladder usually prevent the bladder from holding a normal amount of urine).
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