Medications that may cause or contribute to UI

Drugs associated with urinary retention and overflow incontinence

• Anticholinergics inhibit detrusor contraction by blocking acetylcholine released by parasympathetic nerves and urothelium from acting on detrusor muscarinic receptors: atropine, belladonna alkaloids, dicyclomine, flavoxate, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, oxybutynin, propantheline, scopolamine
• Tricyclic antidepressants possessing anticholinergic properties: amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline
• Antihistamines possessing anticholinergics properties: chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine
• Anti-parkinson agents possessing anticholinergics properties: amantadine; benztropine; bromocriptine; levodopa; trihexyphenidyl
• Antipsychotics possessing anticholinergic properties: haloperidol, risperidone, thioridazine, thiothixene
• Muscle relaxants possessing anticholinergic properties:: baclofen, cyclobenzaprine diazepam
• Sedatives depress detrusor contraction and the urge to urinate
• Alpha agonists increase urinary sphincter tone: ephedrine; phenylephrine; phenylpropanolamine; pseudoephedrine
• Beta-agonists relax detrusor muscle: isoproterenol; metaproterenol; terbutaline
• Calcium channel blockers inhibit detrusor contraction: diltiazem, felodipine, verapamil
• Narcotic analgesic urine retention: codeine

Drugs causing urge incontinence

• Diuretics can cause high urine flow which stimulates bladder contractions
  • furosemide
  • bumetanide
  • caffeine
• Sedative-hypnotics can depress central inhibition of micturition
  • benzodiazepines
  • barbiturates
  • opiates
  • alcohol

Drugs that cause stress incontinence

• Alpha-adrenergic antagonists can cause sphincter relaxation with urinary leakage
  • alfuzosin
  • doxazosin
  • prazosin
  • terazosin
  • tamsulosin
• Sympatholytics relax bladder neck and urethral muscle: alpha-methyldopa

Drugs sold 'over the counter' (OTC) may possess properties as side effects which exaccerbate or contribute to urinary incontinence. For example, medications purchased for a mild cold often include antihistamines and decongestants. In addition, caffeine may be included in some medications, e.g. over the counter analgesics purchased for a headache.

Please visit this Mayo Clinic site, and look for the section on medications which can affect continence.

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