MONDAY, May 23, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- The commonly prescribed incontinence drug trospium chloride may benefit patients in a whole new way, researchers report.
When taken orally, the drug controls symptoms of overactive bladder systemically. But now a team from the University of Pittsburgh has found that when the drug comes into contact with the bladder walls, it may also help control symptoms inside the organ itself.
The researchers were to present their findings Sunday at the American Urological Association annual meeting, in San Antonio.
"When taken orally, certain classes of drugs can control the muscle contractions that cause conditions like overactive bladder. In this study, we have found one drug, trospium, reacts with the bladder muscle as urine is stored in the bladder," Dr. Michael Chancellor, a professor in the department of urology, said in a prepared statement.
"It is exciting to see that this drug could be helping the same patients in more ways than we had previously thought," Chancellor added.
Overactive bladder affects more than 17 million Americans and can have a major impact on quality of life.
More information
The American Geriatrics Society has more about urinary incontinence.
