How Does Detrol Work?
Symptoms
Detrol is the brand name for a prescription drug called tolterodine tartrate. It works by relieving the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Typically, these symptoms include a need to urinate more than eight times in a 24 hour period, a sudden and frequent need to empty the bladder, and accidental leaking of urine between bathroom visits. All of these symptoms are caused by frequent or uncontrolled contractions of the bladder muscle. These contractions can also prevent the bladder from holding a normal amount of urine.
Effects
Detrol is an anticholinergic/antimuscarinic medication. It reduces a patient's symptoms by relaxing the bladder muscle. This is done by blocking muscarinic receptors within the bladder, which reduces the contractions. Patients who take Detrol don't have the urge to urinate as frequently, and the chance of leakage accidents is also reduced. The absence of excess contractions also allows them to eliminate more urine each time they visit the bathroom.
Warnings
Although Detrol is safe for most patients, eMedTV warns that it can cause problems for people with certain conditions. These include kidney disease, renal failure, liver problems, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, arrhythmia, digestive problems, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. If you have any of these conditions, you must talk to your doctor and follow his advice on whether you can safely take this medication.
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