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Incontinence and medication use

Long-Term Care Nursing Advisor, March 24, 2006

Urinary incontinence is the side effect of many types of medications.

Sometimes the incontinence is related to the direct action of the medication, such as diuretics causing diuresis, which precipitates incontinence. Some medications cause urinary retention, which may, over time, result in overflow incontinence. Other medications may cause mental confusion in the elderly, causing secondary incontinence.

Medications with the potential to cause incontinence in the elderly include

  • alpha blockers
  • alpha stimulants
  • anticholinergic agents
  • antidepressants
  • antihistamines
  • antispasmodics
  • beta-adrenergic agonists
  • calcium channel blockers
  • CNS depressants
  • disopyramide
  • narcotic analgesics
  • phenothiazines
  • pyschotropics
  • sedatives/hypnotics
  • sympathomimetics

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