Signs of pneumonia: Sometimes vague and unexpected
The surprising link between ovarian cancer and the fallopian tubes
Using a vibration plate: What it can — and can't — do for your body
People who walk more or walk faster live longer, study finds
Rosacea treatments: What works?
For sleep apnea, a dental device may be as effective as CPAP
Carb cycling: What is it, and does it work?
Understanding orthorexia: Have your healthy eating goals gone too far?
Melatonin or magnesium: Can either supplement help you sleep?
Salmonella, E. coli, Cyclospora, and other germs that cause food poisoning: What you need to know
Medications that can cause urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, can be caused by various health conditions and physical changes, such as childbirth, changes in diet, infection, prostate issues, menopause, and neurological disorders. But there are also a number of medications can cause urinary incontinence in both men and women in a variety of different ways.
|
Medication |
Effect |
Symptoms |
|
Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Oretic), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), triamterene with hydrochlorothiazide (Maxzide) |
Increase urine production by the kidney |
Frequent urination, overactive bladder, stress incontinence |
|
Muscle relaxants and sedatives such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan) |
Cause sedation or drowsiness; relax the urethra |
Frequent urination, stress incontinence, lack of concern or desire to use the toilet |
|
Narcotics such as oxycodone (Percocet), meperidine (Demerol), morphine |
Cause sedation or drowsiness; relax the bladder, causing it to retain urine |
Lack of concern or desire to use the toilet, difficulty in starting urinary stream, straining to void, voiding with a weak stream, leaking between urinations, frequency incontinence |
|
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) |
Relax the bladder, causing it to retain urine |
Overflow incontinence |
|
Alpha-adrenergic antagonists such as terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura) |
Relax the muscle at the outlet of the bladder |
Leaking when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, etc. |
From Better Bladder and Bowel Control, Harvard Health Publishing
Image: Thinkstock
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Signs of pneumonia: Sometimes vague and unexpected
The surprising link between ovarian cancer and the fallopian tubes
Using a vibration plate: What it can — and can't — do for your body
People who walk more or walk faster live longer, study finds
Rosacea treatments: What works?
For sleep apnea, a dental device may be as effective as CPAP
Carb cycling: What is it, and does it work?
Understanding orthorexia: Have your healthy eating goals gone too far?
Melatonin or magnesium: Can either supplement help you sleep?
Salmonella, E. coli, Cyclospora, and other germs that cause food poisoning: What you need to know
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up
