Tolterodine Tartrate belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics. This is used for the treatment of overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, this medication improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to decrease leaking of urine, frequent trips to the bathroom, and feelings of needing to urinate right away. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription. 

Overactive bladder is a disorder in which the bladder squeezes urine out at the wrong time. You can have this condition if you have two or more of the following symptoms:

• You have the sudden or strong need to urinate right away
• You urinate eight or more times a day and two or more times at night 
• You leak urine after a sudden or strong urge to urinate

Even if it’s not rare among older adults, overactive bladder is considered as not a usual part of aging. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms disrupt your life or distress you. You may as well have incontinence which is a loss of bladder control. If you have an overactive bladder, you may isolate yourself, feel embarrassed, or limit your work and social life. The good news is that a brief assessment can define whether there’s an exact cause for your overactive bladder symptoms. 

Controlling overactive bladder frequently begins with behavioral strategies such as timed voiding, adder-holding techniques, and fluid schedules by your pelvic floor. If these strategies don’t support sufficient with your overactive bladder symptoms, prescriptions are accessible. 

Overactive bladder happens because the muscles of the bladder start to contract involuntarily even when the volume of urine in your bladder is low. This involuntary contraction creates an urgent need to urinate. You’re at increased risk of developing overactive bladder as you age. You’re also at higher risk of disorders or diseases such as diabetes and enlarged prostate. Wherein, it can contribute to other problems with bladder function.

How does the medicine work?

Tolterodine Tartrate works by relaxing the involuntary muscle that is found in the wall of the bladder. The muscle in the wall of the bladder is called the detrusor muscle. It can sometimes contract in uncontrollable spasms. It is often referred to as having an overactive bladder as well. The overactive detrusor muscle can increase the number of times you need to pass urine or causes uncontrollable urges to pass urine. Tolterodine Tartrate relaxes the detrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder. It does this by blocking receptors called muscarinic receptors. These are found on the surface of the muscle cells. This prevents a natural body chemical called acetylcholine from acting on these receptors.

Usually, when acetylcholine acts on these receptors, it causes the detrusor muscle to contract and the bladder to empty. By blocking acetylcholine, this medication helps the muscle in the bladder wall to relax. This decreases the unstable and involuntary contractions of the bladder. Thereby, it increases the capacity of the bladder to hold urine as well. In turn, this lessens the need to pass urine. 

How to use the medication?

This medication is to be taken by mouth usually two times a day. You may take each dose with or without a meal or as directed by your doctor. The dosage will depend on your medical condition and response to the treatment. Your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase it. Swallow the tablet as a whole. Do not break, chew, or crush it. 

Tolterodine Tartrate is absorbed into the bloodstream from the gut soon after the medication is taken. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Some conditions may worsen when the drug is abruptly stopped. Follow the instructions of your doctor carefully. Do not take more or less medication or take it more frequently than the prescription. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time and in the same way each day. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Tell as well if you have any other medications including herbal/food supplements and vitamins. 

Common and Serious Side Effects

• Joint pain
• Stomach upset 
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth 

Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

• Severe stomach or abdominal pain
• Vision changes 
• Trouble urinating
• Signs of kidney infection (lower back pain, burning or painful urination, and fever)

Call for medical help right away if you experience signs of an allergic reaction including:

• Hives 
• Difficulty or trouble breathing 
• Swelling in your lips, throat, face, or mouth 

If these side effects persist or get worse, call your doctor or medical help right away.

Precautions

• Tolterodine Tartrate may cause sleepiness and blurred vision. That it may reduce your ability to operate machinery or drive safely. Do not operate machinery or drive until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won’t affect your performance. 
• This is not recommended for use in people who cannot empty their bladder, with closed-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease. 
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding women consult your doctor first before using Tolterodine Tartrate.
• Use this with caution in elderly people, those with decreased liver/kidney function, any obstruction to the outflow of urine from the bladder, any blockage or decreased activity in the stomach, or people with hiatus hernia. 
• If you missed a dose of this prescription, call your doctor right away for instructions. 
• If you ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, let your doctor know. Tell as well if you have any allergies. This drug may contain an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction. 
• This medication may make you sweat less and make you more likely to get heatstroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat. When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you overheat, look for a place to cool down right away and rest.