Tolterodine Tartrate blocks muscarinic receptors in the muscles of the bladder wall. When these receptors are stimulated the bladder contracts and empties. By blocking, or limiting, the stimulation of these receptors the bladder muscles relax making the bladder more stable.
Tolterodine Tartrate
Tolterodine Tartrate works by preventing a natural body chemical called acetylcholine from acting on the cholinergic, or muscarinic, receptors. This helps the bladder wall to relax reducing unstable, involuntary contractions of the bladder.
Can be used in Multiple Sclerosis to help with urinary frequency, urinary urgency and incontinence, Detrusitol is a brand name for Tolterodine and is a newer drug than Oxybutynin but works in a similar fashion.
Side Effects
Possible side-effects can include:
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Fluid retention
- Flatulence
- Pins and Needles (Paraesthesia)
- Fatigue
Treatment
- Bladder Retraining
- Pelvic Floor Therapy
- Drugs: Oxybutynin, Tolterodine
In addition to the above side-effects I have noticed one other which took a few days to develop. My urine is now dark green in colour and smells quite noticeable of … kippers of all things! I wouldn’t mind but I can’t stand kippers.
Update (June 2017)
It has been over 10 years since I last looked it this post. I am ashamed that I was publishing such short posts os little import or content.
To be quite frank, I don’t even remember being prescribed Tolterodine, although the name is familiar. I do remember Oxybutynin and the bloating incident. But, of course, much of this grey memory is down to the MS brain fog, which clouds many of my recollections.
However, I do remember the dark green, smelly urine. It’s funny the things that stick in your memory.
As I often do, I shall leave the link to my general symptoms page, in case you might be interested:
A Plethora of Neurological Dysfunctions
If you feel strongly about anything I have said in this post, and the comments are still open, please feel free to contribute to the discussion.
References
Tolterodine (Detrol, Detrusitol) for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Wikipedia.
Curbita Bladder Caps offer Natural Bladder Health with Pumpkin Power. Curbita Bladder Caps support healthy bladder function for men and women.
This appears to be a blatant marketing entry but as it also seems to be relevant to the post to which it is associated on bladder health, I am willing to let it ride and approve it’s publication. It should be noted that it was in my spam folder.