Anticholinergics for urinary incontinence in spinal cord injuries

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	How It Works
	Why It Is Used
	How Well It Works
	Side Effects
	What To Think About
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Anticholinergic medications prevent spasms of the bladder muscle, which keeps it from emptying involuntarily and helps control urinary incontinence.

Anticholinergics can be used to treat reflex incontinence after a spinal cord injury.

Research reports that using anticholinergics results in fewer spasms of the bladder muscle and thus fewer accidents. The bladder may also be able to hold more urine.¹

Side effects are common and include:

• Dry mouth, nose, and throat.
• Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion.
• Decreased sweating and skin rash.
• Nausea and constipation.
• Eye pain.
• Rapid heartbeat.

Extended-release formulas and the Oxytrol skin patch may have fewer side effects than anticholinergic medications that are taken several times a day.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Some of these medications may cause you to sweat less. In hot weather, this could lead to heat exhaustion. Ask your health professional whether you should be careful about being physically active in hot conditions.

Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking anticholinergic medications, because they can increase the depressive effects of alcohol.

Anticholinergic medications may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light. If this occurs, wear sunglasses to reduce eye discomfort. Avoid using anticholinergics if you have closed-angle glaucoma.

If you develop diarrhea while taking an anticholinergic medication, stop taking it, and call your doctor. You may need to be checked for partial intestinal blockage.

These medications may cause urinary retention.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Benevento BT, Sipski ML (2002). Neurogenic bladder, neurogenic bowel, and sexual dysfunction in people with spinal cord injury. Physical Therapy, 82(6): 601–612.