Tolterodine is a medicine used to treat people who have urinary problems such as urinary incontinence or frequency which are caused by an overactive bladder. It works by preventing spasms of the bladder muscle which can help to reduce the episodes of urinary incontinence or reduce the feeling of urgency that bladder spasms can cause.
Tolterodine is not suitable for everyone so it’s important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history
You may not be suitable for this medication if you:
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- have a hiatus hernia
- have autonomic neuropathy
- have certain types of gastrointestinal problems
- have kidney problems
- have liver problems
- have mega colon
- have myasthenia gravis
- have narrow angle glaucoma
- have risk factors which affect the heart’s activity such as having certain types of heart problems, metabolic problems, abnormal heart beats or a slow heart rate
- have ulcerative colitis
- have urinary retention or have risk factors for urinary retention
Side effects
Everyone’s reaction to a medicine is different. You may experience some of the side effects listed below or none at all. If you are having problems with this medicine, it’s important to tell your GP immediately.
Some very common side effects experienced by users of this medication are:
- dry mouth
- headaches
Common side effects of taking Tolterodine are:
- bronchitis
- chest pain
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- difficult or painful urination
- dry eyes
- dry skin
- eye or eyesight problems
- feeling dizzy
- flatulence
- indigestion
- oedema of the extremities
- palpitations
- paraesthesiae
- sleepiness
- stomach pain
- tiredness
- urinary retention
- vertigo
- vomiting
- weight gain
Further help
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call NHS non-emergency number on 111 (You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation)
