What Is Tolterodine Used For?

Tolterodine is used for the treatment of an overactive bladder. Specifically, the medication helps to reduce overactive bladder symptoms, including sudden or frequent urges to urinate, leaking accidents, and frequent urination. It is not approved for use in children. In clinical studies, tolterodine uses in children appeared to increase the risk of aggression, hyperactivity, or abnormal behavior.

 

What Is Tolterodine Used For? -- An Overview

Tolterodine tartrate (Detrol®) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms. It belongs to a group of medications known as anticholinergics or antimuscarinics.
 
An overactive bladder is caused by bladder muscle contractions that are too frequent and, often, uncontrollable. Normally, the bladder slowly fills until nerve signals tell your brain that the bladder is full and you need to use the bathroom. Then the bladder muscles contract when you urinate. However, in some people, the bladder muscles contract spastically and frequently. This causes the following overactive bladder symptoms:
 
  • Frequent urination (needing to go more than eight times in 24 hours)
  • Sudden, frequent urges to urinate
  • Leaking accidents (known as urinary incontinence or urge incontinence).
     
Sometimes, an overactive bladder is caused by other medical problems, such as an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). In these cases, it is usually best to treat the underlying problem instead of using tolterodine. The medication is not approved for other types of bladder problems.
 

How Does Tolterodine Work?

Tolterodine belongs to a group of drugs known as anticholinergic or antimuscarinic medications. It works by binding to specific receptors (called muscarinic receptors) in the bladder, allowing 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 can help relieve many of the related symptoms.
 
(What Is Tolterodine Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;