Drugs >  Tolterodine
Tolterodine
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(tole TER oh dine)

Brand Names
Detrol™; Detrol® LA

Therapeutic Categories
Anticholinergic Agent

Reasons not to take this medicine

  • If you have an allergy to tolterodine or any other part of the medicine.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, slow emptying of the stomach, difficulty urinating.


What is this medicine used for?

  • This medicine is used for the treatment of an overactive bladder with symptoms of urinary frequency or urgency.


How does it work?

  • Tolterodine slows movement through the urinary tract and helps calm the muscles here.


How is it best taken?

  • Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
  • Swallow extended release capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the effects of tolterodine.
  • Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
  • Men with problems urinating should not take this medicine.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Be careful in hot weather. Can increase risk of heat stroke.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Headaches. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Unable to pass urine. Talk with healthcare provider if it becomes a problem.
  • Belly pain.


What should I monitor?

  • Follow up with healthcare provider.


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store at room temperature. Protect from light.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


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