This medication is used to treat an overactive bladder.
By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, tolterodine improves your ability
to control your urination. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of
needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom. This
medication belongs to the class of drugs known as
antispasmodics.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using tolterodine and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once a day. Swallow the medication whole
with a full glass of liquid. Do not crush or chew the medication. Doing so
can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side
effects.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. The dosage
is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other
medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist
about all the products you use (including prescription drugs,
nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Ask your doctor or pharmacist
for more details.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more
often than directed. Your condition will not improve any faster and your
risk of serious side effects may be increased.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
Dry mouth, dry eyes, headache, constipation, stomach
upset/pain, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, or blurred vision may occur.
If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice
chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva
substitute.
To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough
water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your
pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- vision changes
- severe stomach/abdominal pain
- trouble urinating
- signs of kidney infection (such as burning/painful urination,
lower back pain, fever)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking tolterodine, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to fesoterodine; or if you have
any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which
can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- problems emptying your bladder (urinary retention, bladder
outflow obstruction)
- severe blockage of stomach/intestines (gastric
retention)
- glaucoma
- stomach/intestinal disease (such as ulcerative colitis,
slowed movement of stomach/intestines)
- severe constipation
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis)
Tolterodine may cause a condition that affects the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely
fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe
dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
prolongation. Before using tolterodine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of
all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT
prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may
also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you
use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have
conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your
doctor about using tolterodine safely.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your
vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear
vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your
doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
This medication may make you sweat less, making you more
likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to
overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs.
When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you
overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help
right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes,
headache, or dizziness.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above), drowsiness,
confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. Drowsiness and confusion can
increase the risk of falling.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- mifepristone
- potassium tablets/capsules
- pramlintide
Many drugs besides tolterodine may affect the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide,
procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as
erythromycin), among others.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other
products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis),
antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or
anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and
opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause
drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products
safely.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include
fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, fainting, unusual excitement, mental/mood
changes.
Do not share this medication with others.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.