Where is Tolterodine Tartrate used?
Tolterodine Tartrate is used for the treatment of overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, this medication improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to decrease the leaking of urine, frequent trips to the bathroom, and feelings of needing to urinate right away. This belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
How does Tolterodine Tartrate work?
Tolterodine Tartrate works by relaxing the uncontrolled muscle that is found in the wall of the bladder. The muscle in the wall of the bladder is called the detrusor muscle. It can occasionally contract in uncontrollable spasms. It is often referred to as having an overactive bladder as well. The overactive detrusor muscle may cause uncontrollable urges to pass urine or increase the times you need to pass urine. This medication relaxes the detrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder. It does this by blocking receptors called muscarinic receptors. These are found on the surface of the muscle cells. This prevents a natural body chemical called acetylcholine from acting on these receptors.
Usually, it causes the detrusor muscle to contract and the bladder to empty when acetylcholine acts on these receptors. By blocking acetylcholine, this medication helps the muscle in the bladder wall to relax. This decreases the unstable and involuntary contractions of the bladder. Thereby, it increases the capacity of the bladder to hold urine as well. In turn, this lessens the need to pass urine.
How is Tolterodine Tartrate taken?
This medication is to be taken by mouth usually two times a day. You may take each dose with or without a meal or as directed by your doctor. The dosage will depend on your medical condition and response to the treatment. Your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase it.
Tolterodine Tartrate is absorbed into the bloodstream from the gut soon after the medication is taken. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Some conditions may worsen when the drug is abruptly stopped. Follow the instructions of your doctor carefully.
What are the possible side effects of Tolterodine Tartrate?
- Stomach upset
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
What are the precautions in using Tolterodine Tartrate?
- Tolterodine Tartrate may cause sleepiness and blurred vision. It may reduce your ability to operate machinery or drive safely. Do not operate machinery or drive until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won’t affect your performance.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding women consult your doctor first before using Tolterodine Tartrate.
- Use this with caution in elderly people, those with decreased liver/kidney function, any obstruction to the outflow of urine from the bladder, any blockage or decreased activity in the stomach, or people with hiatus hernia.
- If you ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, let your doctor know. Tell also if you have any allergies. This drug may contain an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.
