Drug Treatment - Bladder/Bowel : Treatments & Therapies Pages : HSP & PLS : Spastic Paraplegia Foundation

Drug Treatment – Bladder/Bowel

For detailed information regarding drugs, contraindications and side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Note: In case of emergency/ overdose the local poison control center can be reached at 1 (800) 222-1222. Please also contact your local physician, especially if you use the Baclofen Pump.

Many individuals report increased urgency, frequency or difficulty voiding in urinary or bowel functions. There are number of drugs, techniques and devices that can help.

An excellent informational site is Controlling Bladder Problems. While this National Multiple Sclerosis Society site is geared to those with multiple sclerosis, it is very applicable to others with spastic bladder symptoms. It provides a lot of information and tips.

For detailed information regarding the drugs listed below, contraindications and side effects, please visit Medline Plus and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tolterodine tartrate

Reduces bladder contraction and the urge to void. Brand name: Detrol and Detrol LAProduct site
Hyoscyamine

Used to control symptoms associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is also used in the treatment of bladder spasms. Brand names: Levbid, Anaspaz; Cystospaz; Cystospaz-M; Levsin; Neoquess
Cymbalta

An antidepressant has been found to also calm urinary urgency. Brand name: duloxetine

InterStim

Medtronic is an electronic device that is implanted to stimulate the sacral nerves with a product called InterStim. This may be helpful in both overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder.
Tricylic antidepressants

Tricylic antidepressants (see drugs for depression) amitriptyline and imitriptyline appear to help with bladder dysfunction.
Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is when the urine leaks when one coughs or sneezes, caused by the sphincter not staying tight enough. Over-the-counter Sudafed (decongestant) is reported to tighten the sphincter muscle the most, but can raise blood pressure. Antihistamines like Benadryl can also help tighten the muscle.

Kegel exercises are often used to tone the pelvic muscles and retrain the bladder.
Incontinence Products

A variety of protective, absorbent garments are available in drugstores or on the Internet. They are specifically tailored to fit men or women, and come in a variety of styles, depending on the severity of the incontinence.

Other incontinence products include mattress covers, chair pads, odor elimination sprays, skin care products and swimming garments.

For Bowels

Bowel regularity can be maintained by following guidelines that include drinking lots of fluids, including plenty of fiber in the diet, using stool softeners, and establishing a regular time for emptying the bowels.

As well as the prescription medication listed below, there are some over-the-counter bulking agents that can help with bowel problems, such as psyllium (brand names: Metmucil, Konsyl).

For detailed information regarding the drug, contraindications and side effects, please visitMedline Plus Health Information and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Dicyclomine

Relieves spasms of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) by blocking the actions of spasm-inducing chemicals in the body. It is used to treat functional bowel or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Brand name: Bemote; Bentyl; Di-Spaz

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