Medication for urinary incontinence

Incontact Product Information Sheet 11

Urinary incontinence means any leak from the bladder. It is a common condition affecting about 6 million people in the UK.

It is an embarrassing problem, which can result in people not going out or taking part in everyday activities. There are two main types on urinary incontinence: stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Stress incontinence is a leak of urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh. There can also be a leak if you lift something heavy. Some people can leak when they move or get up from a chair.

Urge incontinence is caused by urgency, or the sudden urgent desire to get to the toilet. If you cannot get there in time and there is a leak or accident - this is called urge incontinence.

Urgency and urge incontinence are caused when the bladder muscle squeezes - even when you want to hold on. This is called overactive or unstable bladder.

Medication is only one of the possible treatments available for urinary incontinence. You should talk to your continence advisor and your doctor to see if medication is suitable for you.

Incontact can provide information on other treatments available for stress and urge incontinence such as pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor and bio-feedback, but success with any treatment requires support and regular follow-up from your GP, continence advisor or other health professional.

Research continues into looking at developing new drugs that could help. All drugs and medications can have unwanted side effects - always ask about the side effects of any drugs you are prescribed. If these are too unpleasant for you, talk to your doctor and see if any other treatments are available.

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Incontact aims to provide up-to-date and accurate information. No liability is accepted for any errors in the information presented. Incontact endorses neither the companies nor the products listed here.

Do not contact any of the companies listed here. The law limits companies in what they can say to patients about any medication. They cannot discuss individual cases. If you have any questions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.