USE
This medication is used to treat an overactive bladder. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder, tolterodine improves your ability to control your urination. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom. This medication belongs to the class of drugs known as antispasmodics.
How to use Detrol LA Oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using tolterodine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the medication whole with a full glass of liquid. Do not crush or chew the medication. Doing so can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side effects.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Dosage is based on your medical condition (especially kidney and liver disease), response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.
Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS
Dry mouth, dry eyes, headache, constipation, stomach upset/pain, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water or use a saliva substitute.
To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If you become constipated, consult your pharmacist for help in choosing a laxative (e.g., stimulant-type with stool softener).
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes, severe stomach/abdominal pain, trouble urinating, signs of kidney infection (e.g., burning/painful urination, lower back pain, fever).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking tolterodine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: problems emptying your bladder (urinary retention), severe blockage of stomach/intestines (gastric retention), a certain eye condition (uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other bladder problems (e.g., bladder outflow obstruction), stomach/intestinal disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis), slowed movement of stomach/intestines, severe constipation, controlled narrow-angle glaucoma, kidney disease, liver disease, enlarged prostate, a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), personal/family history of certain abnormal heart rhythm or rate (QTc prolongation, bradycardia), mineral imbalance (e.g., low potassium or magnesium levels).
This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy, or cause blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
This medication can cause decreased sweating. Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather, saunas, or during exercise or other strenuous activities since heatstroke may occur.
Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to this drug.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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