Overactive Bladder (OAB)
The bladder is a muscle, and spasms of the bladder muscle can cause urinary urgency and/ or frequency among people with Parkinson’s. Lifestyle changes can be of some benefit in reducing OAB: weight loss, reducing consumption of alcohol and caffeine, and reducing fluid intake at night. Pelvic floor strengthening with Kegel exercises can be helpful. Medications can also reduce the bladder spasms of OAB. Possible side effects include headache, constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, and urinary retention. Most OAB medications work via anticholinergic effects, and they can have the side effects of anticholinergic medications (see Anticholinergic Medication)
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Notes |
Link |
Patient Assistance |
Brochure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trospium | Sanctura | Product Website | Teva Patient Assistance | ||
| Darifenacin | Enablex | Prescribing Information | Allergan Patient Assistance | ||
| Tolterodine | Detrol | Product Website | Pfizer Savings Program | More Information | |
| Fesoterodine | Toviaz | Product Website | Pfizer Patient Assistance | More Information | |
| Solifenacin | Vesicare | Not recommended for people at high risk of QT prolongation. | Product Website | Astellas Pharma Patient Assistance | More Information |
| Oxybutynin | Ditropan | Crosses into the brain more than other OAB medications, may be more likely to worsen confusion. | Prescribing Information | Teva Patient Assistance | |
| Mirabegron | Myrbetriq | Unlike the other OAB medications (which are anticholinergic), this medication is a beta-3 agonist. Less likely than other OAB medications to cause cognitive side effects. Should not be used by people with uncontrolled hypertension. | Product Website | Astellas Savings and Support |