Tolterodine for the treatment of overactive bladder.
BACKGROUND
The overactive bladder syndrome is a common condition affecting approximately 12% of men and women. It is extremely disturbing with a great impact on quality of life. Its treatment involves a combination of behavioural and pharmacological therapy. The latter includes antimuscarinic drugs such as tolterodine.


OBJECTIVE
To review the safety and efficacy of tolterodine in the treatment of overactive bladder in comparison with other available antimuscarinic agents.


METHODS
A Pubmed search was carried out differentiating randomised, clinical trials; longitudinal, retrospective studies; and metanalysis on the use of tolterodine for overactive bladder treatment. In the comparison with other antimuscarinic agents, only randomised, clinical trials were considered.


CONCLUSIONS
Tolterodine is available as immediate- or extended-release formulations. It has been extensively evaluated with long-term, randomised trials for safety and efficacy showing a significant improvement in overactive bladder symptoms with an excellent tolerability profile.
Salvatore
Stefano
S
University of Insubria, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Del Ponte Hospital, Via Ciro Menotti 76, 21100 Varese, Italy. stefanosalvatore@hotmail.com
Serati
Maurizio
M
Bolis
Pierfrancesco
P
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003408:Cresols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003408:Cresols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate