title: Pharmacological treatment of urinary incontinence.
abstract: We present an overview of the current pharmacological treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) in women, according to the latest evidence available. After a brief description of the lower urinary tract receptors and mediators (detrusor, bladder neck, and urethra), the potential sites of pharmacological manipulation in the treatment of UI are discussed. Each class of drug used to treat UI has been evaluated, taking into account published rate of effectiveness, different doses, and way of administration. The prevalence of the most common adverse effects and overall compliance had also been pointed out, with cost evaluation after 1 month of treatment for each class of drug. Moreover, we describe those newer agents whose efficacy and safety need to be further investigated. We stress the importance of a better understanding of the causes and pathophysiology of UI to ensure newer and safer treatments for such a debilitating condition.
authors: From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona Hospital, University of Salerno, Salerno, SA, Italy.
authors: Lucio M A
authors: LM
authors: Cipullo
authors: Fulvio
authors: F
authors: Zullo
authors: Cosimo
authors: C
authors: Cosimato
authors: Attilio
authors: A
authors: Di Spiezio Sardo
authors: Jacopo
authors: J
authors: Troisi
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Guida
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050034:Antidiuretic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D014553:Urinary Tract Physiological Phenomena; D064804:Urological Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D050034:Antidiuretic Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D009498:Neurotoxins; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D064804:Urological Agents