Overactive bladder is more a urinary symptom than a disease, but it can be painful and extremely uncomfortable. In mild to moderate cases of an overactive bladder, natural remedies are recommended because they are free from side-effects. That said, quite a few medicinal treatment options are also available for an overactive bladder. Here, let’s take a detailed look at these options:

Anticholinergic medications
Anticholinergic medications are the largest class of medications when it comes to the treatment options for an overactive bladder. These medicines work by means of blocking a chemical called acetylcholine in the human body. They help contract the bladder, reducing the urge to urinate. Some of the medicines in this group are oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium, darifenacin, solifenacin, and fesoterodine. Almost all of these are available in the capsule form and can be taken orally. Some of the common side-effects of anticholinergic medications are blurry vision, dry mouth, and constipation.

Beta-3 adrenergic medications
A popular treatment option for an overactive bladder is mirabegron, a medication of this class. It relaxes and smoothens the muscles in the wall of the bladder, helping it hold more urine. The medicine is easily available as a tablet and has to be taken orally once a day or as advised by the doctor. It often interacts with other medications, so one shouldn’t forget to tell their doctor about any medicines they are already taking.

Antispasmodic medications
These are among the safest treatment options for an overactive bladder. The medicine for this condition available in this category is Flavoxate, which reduces bladder spasms. However, it might not be extremely effective in treating the symptoms for some patients because it is an older form of treatment. Several new medicines have been made available since.

Antidepressants
Interestingly, antidepressants are often prescribed for treating an overactive bladder, especially when other medicines do not provide the desired results. The medicine that is most commonly given in this regard is desipramine, an oral medication that relaxes the bladder and simultaneously contracts the muscles at the neck of the bladder. As a result, patients feel a much lower urge to urinate, and it also improves bladder control and prevents leakage in the process. Another antidepressant used for overactive bladder treatment is imipramine. It works in the same way as desipramine, but it is often considered a better choice for overactive bladder patients because its main side effect is sleepiness.

It’s best to consult a doctor before using any of these treatment options for overactive bladder. They can provide the necessary advice and also help one understand the side-effects of each medicine.