Black Patients Less Likely to Fill Prescriptions For Newer, Safer Urinary Incontinence Drugs

Millions of adults take medications to help relieve symptoms of overactive bladder and reduce episodes of urinary incontinence. But research linking some of those medications called anticholinergic drugs, such as oxybutynin, to memory loss drove recommendations to treat urinary incontinence with beta-3 agonists, drugs that offer the same benefit but without the risk of cognitive decline. A new study in JAMA Network Open led by Northwestern Medicine and Duke University School of Medicine shows Black patients are less likely to fill prescriptions for newer, safer urinary incontinence drugs compared to white patients, potentially raising their risk for dementia. Read more.

Source: Duke University School of Medicine, June 12, 2023

elderly underactive bladder symptoms needed to be reported

Drug Tied to Dementia Risk Overprescribed to Seniors: Study

A drug linked to a raised risk of dementia is taken by millions of older Americans who have an overactive bladder, researchers say. More than one-quarter of patients with the urinary problem had been prescribed the drug oxybutynin (Ditropan), an international team of investigators found. Yet, “oxybutynin is a particularly poor drug for overactive bladder in elderly patients,” said study lead author Dr. Daniel Pucheril, a urologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Prior studies have linked the drug to thinking problems and increased risk of dementia in older people, possibly because of the way it affects brain chemicals, he said. “It’s a great and effective drug for younger patients, but is a risky drug for older patients,” Pucheril said. It boosts dementia risk even when not taken indefinitely, he said. Alternatives exist but they’re more expensive and may not be covered by insurance, at least initially, the study authors explained. Read more.

Source: HealthDay News, March 30, 2017

Prescription Drugs for Overactive Bladder (OAB)

There are several prescription drugs for overactive bladder (OAB).

The FDA approved medications, or drugs, currently available on the U.S. market for the treatment of urinary incontinence are for a specific condition called overactive bladder (OAB). Some are also used for OAB with urge urinary incontinence (UUI). You may have seen advertisements on television or in magazines for these medications. Most of the prescription drugs for OAB partially calm the bladder muscles that cause abnormal contractions, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of the overwhelming urge to urinate. Some of these drugs may also increase the bladder’s capacity to hold urine and delay the initial urge to void. This class of drugs is referred to as antimuscarinics.

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