Drug Induced Bladder Problems
Drug Induced Bladder Problems
Sometimes drugs have unintended side effects that can cause or worsen bladder problems. The following table show the most common classes of drugs with examples and a brief explanation of what they do.
| Drugs That Can Cause Bladder Problems | ||
| Class of Medication | Specific Examples | Possible Effects |
| ACE Inhibitors | Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) Ramipril (Altace) Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin) Lisinopril (Zestril) Fosinopril (Monopril) Captopril (Capoten) | Persistent cough leading to an increase in abdominal pressure, which may result in a loss of bladder contol. |
| Alcohol | Beer, Liquor and Wine | Increases urine production, which causes increased frequency of urination and urge to urinate. |
| Alpha-agonists | Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (Sudafed), which include any cough or cold medicine that contains this ingredient. | Urinary retention |
| Alpha-antagonists | Prazosin (Minipress) Terazosin (Hytrin) Doxazosin maleate (Cardura) | Can relax urethral muscles, which results in urine leakage. |
| Anti-cholinergics | Propantheline bromide (Probanthine) | May relax the bladder causing urinary retention. |
| 1st generation anti-histamines | Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride (Benadryl), Chlorpheniramine Maleate (Chlor-Tripolon) | May relax the bladder causing urinary retention. |
| Anti-psychotics | Loxapine (Loxapac) Haloperidol (Haldol) | Can relax urethral muscles, which results in urine leakage. Can decrease your perception of the need to urinate. |
| Beta-agonists | Isoproterenol Hydrochloride (Isuprel) | Can cause urinary retention. |
| Caffeine | Coffee, Cola, Tea, and Chocolate | Can cause an increas in urine production along with an increase in frequency both of unination and the urge to urinate. |
| Calcium Channel Blockers | Nifedipine (Adalat) Amlodipine (Norvasc) Verapamil (Verelan) | Urinary retention. |
| Diuretics | Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril) Furosemide (Lasix) Amiloride Hydrochloride (Midamor) Triamterene (Dyrenium) | Increases urine production, which causes increased frequency of urination and urge to urinate. |
| Muscle Relaxants | Baclofen (Lioresal) Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride (Flexeril) Orphenadrine Citrate (Norflex) | May relax the bladder causing urinary retention. May also relax the urethral muscles resulting in leakage. May reduce your perception of the need to urinate. |
| Narcotic Analgesics | Any products containing Codeine such as Tylenol #1 and #3, etc. | Urinary retention. |
| Sedatives and Anti-stress Agents | Diazepam (Valium) Alprazolam (Xanax) | Urinary retention and sedation: decreases your perception of the need to urinate. |
| Sympatholytics | Alpha-methyldopa (Aldomet) | Relaxes urethral muscles, which results in leakage. |
| Tri-cyclic Anti-depressants | Amitriptyline (Elavil) Desipramine (Norpramin) Nortriptyline (Aventyl) | May relax the bladder causing urinary retention and sedation that results in decreased perception of the need to urinate. |
Whether you call it urinary incontinence or a bladder problem it can be embarrassing. Howeveer, remember that this is a medical problem and it’s not your fault. Millions of people have the same problem so talk to your family doctor or nurse. Nearly everyone with bladder problems can be helped.