Overactive bladder - pharmacological treatment

Abstract

Overactive bladder syndrome is defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as a clinical syndrome characterized by lower urinary tract dysfunction, including symptoms of urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually accompanied by increased frequency of urination and nocturia in the absence of associated metabolic factors, infectious or local1. With the objective of mitigating the symptoms and improving the quality of life, the main therapeutic modalities employed include non-pharmacological clinical treatment (which includes general measures, behavioral treatment, and physical therapy) and pharmacological treatment. Muscarinic antagonists represent the first line of treatment for patients with overactive bladder that is idiopathic or secondary to Underlying neurological diseases2.3. They are used to stabilize the detrusor muscle, through their connection and antagonism to muscarinic receptors. This results in a reduction of detrusor hyperactivity and improvement of symptoms4. Patients with neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity may require higher doses than patients with idiopathic detrusor hyperactivity5.6