Detrol Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Detrol Tablet (tolterodine) is a prescription medicine belonging to the urinary antispasmodics drug class, used by adults to treat symptoms of overactive bladder. It works by relaxing the bladder muscle to reduce urgency, frequency, and leakage. Detrol is available as a film-coated tablet and is typically taken twice daily as directed by a doctor.

What is Detrol Tablet

Detrol is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder. It is the brand name for tolterodine, a drug that relaxes the bladder muscle.

Detrol Tablet uses

• Urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents
• Urgency: a strong need to urinate right away
• Frequency: urinating often

Benefits of Detrol Tablet

• Helps treat overactive bladder symptoms
• Reduces sudden and urgent need to urinate
• Helps decrease frequent urination
• Can reduce urge incontinence (urine leakage)
• Helps the bladder hold urine for longer by relaxing involuntary bladder muscle contractions

How Detrol Tablet works

Detrol blocks certain nerve receptors (called muscarinic receptors) in the bladder. This helps calm the bladder muscle so it does not contract as often or as strongly, which reduces urgency, frequency, and leakage.

Detrol Tablet dosage

Take Detrol exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Do not change your dose unless told to do so by your doctor. You can take Detrol with or without food, and it should be taken at the same times each day with water. If you miss a dose, just take your next regular dose at your next regular time — do not try to make up for the missed dose.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (film-coated)

Side effects of Detrol Tablet

Common

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Constipation

Serious

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue; hives; difficulty breathing
• Confusion or hallucinations
• Severe stomach pain or severe constipation
• Painful or difficult urination

Warnings and precautions

• Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and severe swelling, have happened with Detrol, sometimes requiring hospital treatment. This can occur after the first dose or later doses.
• Do not take Detrol if you cannot empty your bladder, have slow stomach emptying, have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, or are allergic to it or to Toviaz (fesoterodine).
• Detrol should be used carefully in people with a history of QT prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm condition) or who take certain heart rhythm medicines, since it may affect heart electrical activity.
• Detrol can cause central nervous system effects like dizziness and sleepiness, especially after starting treatment or increasing the dose.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It isn't known if Detrol could harm an unborn baby.
• It isn't known if Detrol passes into breast milk or if it can harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Detrol.
• People with significantly reduced kidney function need a lower dose of Detrol.
• People with significantly reduced liver function need a lower dose of Detrol.
• Drinking alcohol can increase some of the side effects of Detrol.
• Detrol can cause blurred vision, dizziness, and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat and humidity
• Protect tablets from light and moisture
• Keep tablets in the original, tightly closed container until use
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking Detrol and call your doctor right away if you have confusion, hallucinations, severe stomach pain or constipation, or painful or difficult urination.
• If you take too much Detrol, contact your doctor or go to the hospital emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Trospium
• Solifenacin (Vesicare)
• Oxybutynin
• Fesoterodine (Toviaz)