Tolterodine

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Anticholinergic	Detrusitol

Tolterodine - What is it for

Tolterodine is used to treat a condition called overactive bladder. Overactive bladder happens when you cannot control your bladder muscle. When the muscle contracts too often or cannot be controlled, you get symptoms of overactive bladder such as

not being able to control when to empty your bladder, where you get a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting incidence (urinary incontinence)
a strong need to urinate right away (urgency)
urinating often (frequency)

Tolterodine - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Tolterodine cause?

Drowsiness

May affect your ability to drive and use machinery. Make sure your reactions are normal before you drive or do things which require you to be alert.

Dizziness

Get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position.

Dry Mouth

Chew sugar-free gum, suck on sugar-free hard candies or ice chips, sip water regularly

Dry Eyes

Apply lubricant eye drops if necessary.

Constipation

Drink more water (if you do not have any fluid restrictions), eat more high- fibre foods, and exercise regularly

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Tolterodine, what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
You are not able to empty your bladder (urinary retention)
You have delayed or slow emptying of your stomach (gastric retention)
You have an eye problem called “uncontrolled narrow angle glaucoma”
You have liver, kidney or heart problems
You have dementia and is taking medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as Galantamine, Donepezil, Rivastigmine as these combinations may affect the condition.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Tolterodine?

Avoid taking grapefruit or grapefruit juice as they may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side-effects.

Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase the risk of dizziness, light-headedness or drowsiness.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

Tolterodine - Dosage and How to Use

How should Tolterodine be used?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
This medication is usually taken one to two times a day.
For sustained release capsules, do not crush, chew, or open the capsule as this can affect the release of medication into your body.
You may take this medication with or without food.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.