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 exacerbate 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.

For more information on drug induced urinary incontinence visit the U.S. Pharmacist webpage,
Drug-Induced Urinary Incontinence at https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/druginduced-urinary-incontinence