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What Is the Medication Detrol LA?

Detrol LA is the brand name for a prescription medication with a primary active ingredient of tolterodine. This drug is used to treat a condition known as overactive bladder by helping to reduce spasms of the bladder muscles, which cause a sense of urgency, frequent urination and incontinence. Detrol LA is designed for prescription use by adults. Studies on the effects of tolterodine in children with overactive bladder did not show Detrol LA to alleviate the symptoms.

  1. Function

    • A qualified physician may prescribe Detrol LA as part of a comprehensive treatment program to help reduce the frequency of your trips to the bathroom, to help reduce sudden, uncomfortable needs to urinate, to control accidental wetting episodes and other manifestations of overactive bladder. Other aspects of the treatment program may include dietary changes and exercises to help strengthen the muscles that help to control your bladder.

    Warning

    • Detrol LA should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Typically, the dosage is a single pill taken once per day at the same time of day. It is not necessary to take Detrol LA with food. It is not recommended to take more than one dose per day. If a dose is missed, you should wait until the following day and begin again. Call your doctor or local poison control center if you inadvertently take two or more doses in one day.

    Time Frame

    • Detrol LA typically controls overactive bladder symptoms for 24 hours; however, it may take some time after beginning your doctor's prescribed program before the effects of the drug begin to manifest. While some patients experience relief from overactive bladder symptoms within a week, most patients will see gradual improvement over the course of several months.

    Considerations

    • Patients should continue taking Detrol LA for the entire course of treatment prescribed by their doctor. Overactive bladder symptoms may reoccur once treatment is stopped.

    Prevention/Solution

    • As with all drugs, there are certain risks and side effects associated with Detrol LA. You should not take the drug if you have been diagnosed with either urinary retention or gastric retention. You should not take Detrol LA if you suffer from uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Always tell your doctor about any medications you currently take, including vitamins and supplements. Also, tell your doctor about any medical problems you have including stomach, liver, kidney or ocular trouble. It is not known whether Detrol LA has any effect on unborn children, so you should check with your doctor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

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