| Drugs that may cause or aggravate Urinary Incontinence | |||
| Type of drug | Agent | Mechanism of action | Type of incontinence |
| Alpha Blocker | Prazosin Doxazocin | Decreased urethral sphincter resistance | Stress |
| Bladder relaxants | Cholinergic agents Anticholinesterase agents Caffeine Acidifiers |
Increased detrusor hypersensitivity | Increased urgency and frequency |
| Sedatives | Early antihistamines Tricyclic antidepressants Antipsychotics Tranquillisers Hypnotics |
Clouding of consciousness. Less aware of bladder sensation
Anticholinergic side effects includes constipation |
Urgency |
| Miscellaneous | Alcohol Loop diuretics e.g. furosemide Lithium ACA inhibitors Narcotic analgesics/morphine Alpha antagonists Beta antagonists Calcium channel blockers e.g. nifedipine |
Lowers central inhibition Increase rates of bladder filling Polydipsia May induce chronic cough Urethral relaxation Retention Retention Retention |
Urgency frequency Urgency frequency Urgency Stress Stress Stress/overflow Stress/overflow Stress/overflow |
Page last reviewed: 31 Jan 2022
