Overactive Bladder
Bladder overactivity and irritation is common after radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Men who undergo prostate radiation may experience frequency, urgency, and nocturia. These symptoms can often be treated with a class of medications called anticholinergics, which help calm and relax the bladder in order to minimize urinary leakage and decrease the frequency of voiding.
Medications for an Overactive Bladder
Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that tells the brain to stimulate bladder contractions.
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
- Tolterodine (Detrol)
- Trospium (Sanctura)
- Darifenacin (Enablex)
- Solifenacin (Vesicare)
- Fesoterodine (Toviaz)
Side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, heartburn, blurry vision, rapid heartbeat, flushing, urinary retention, and cognitive side effects, such as confusion and impaired memory.
Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) is a beta-3-agonist medication that relaxes the bladder and increases bladder capacity without causing anticholinergic side effects. Its side effects include GI symptoms, dizziness, headache, and elevated blood pressure.
