Tolterodine
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Tolterodine is an antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) agent. It works by blocking a chemical that causes contractions of the bladder.
Tolterodine is used for treating overactive bladder with symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and leakage. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Do not use tolterodine if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in tolterodine or to fesoterodine
you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, trouble urinating, or have slowed emptying of your stomach
you are taking a solid oral potassium product (eg, tablet)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with tolterodine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have glaucoma; a blockage of the bladder, stomach, or bowel; stomach or bowel problems (eg, slowed moving of the bowel, constipation); spinal cord injury; dementia; liver or kidney problems; or myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness)
if you or a family member have a history of irregular heartbeat (eg, prolonged QT, long QT syndrome)
Some medicines may interact with tolterodine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, quinidine) because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased
Solid oral potassium products (eg, tablets) because the risk of stomach or bowel irritation may be increased by tolterodine
Other anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole), cyclosporine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, or vinblastine because they may increase the risk of tolterodines side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if tolterodine may interact with other medicines that you take.
Use tolterodine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
An extra patient leaflet is available with tolterodine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
Take tolterodine by mouth with or without food.
Tolterodine works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
If you miss a dose of tolterodine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Important safety information:
Tolterodine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use tolterodine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do not change your dose of tolterodine without checking with your doctor.
Tolterodine should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
Caution is advised when using tolterodine in childrenm; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially an increased risk of urinary tract infection or behavior or attention problems.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using tolterodine while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking tolterodine.
Possible side effects of tolterodine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eyes; dry mouth; headache; indigestion; stomach pain. Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; difficult or painful urination; disorientation; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems; severe dizziness; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.
