detrol

Detrol (tolterodine) reduces spasms of the bladder muscles.

Detrol is used to treat overactive bladder with symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.

Detrol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not take Detrol if you are allergic to tolterodine or or fesoterodine (Toviaz), if you have untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, or if you have a blockage of the urinary tract, stomach, or intestines.

Before you take Detrol, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a Detrol LA controlled-release capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Detrol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase some of the side effects of Detrol.

There are many other drugs that can interact with Detrol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over the counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Detrol if your are allergic to tolterodine or fesoterodine (Toviaz), or if you have:

• a blockage of the urinary tract (difficulty urinating);

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or

• untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.

To make sure you can safely take Detrol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;

• myasthenia gravis;

• glaucoma; or

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Detrol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether tolterodine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Detrol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Detrol?

Take Detrol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Take Detrol with water. Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-release capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Store Detrol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, blurred vision, and fast heartbeat.

What should I avoid?

Detrol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase some of the side effects of Detrol.

Detrol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Detrol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Detrol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• urinating less than usual or not at all; or

• painful or difficult urination.

Less serious Detrol side effects may include:

• dry mouth, dry eyes;

• blurred vision;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• constipation or diarrhea;

• stomach pain or upset;

• joint pain; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Detrol?

Before taking Detrol, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

• chloroquine (Arelan) or halofantrine (Halfan);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• droperidol (Inapsine);

• narcotic medication such as levomethadyl (Orlaam) or methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);

• pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);

• vinblastine (Velban);

• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil) pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with Detrol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over the counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.