Uses

What is tolterodine used for?

Tolterodine is commonly used to treat overactive bladder. Overactive bladder, or OAB, is a condition where you feel like you need to pee even though your bladder is not full. Tolterodine is used when you have a strong need to pee right away, wetting accidents because of a strong need to pee, or frequent peeing.

Tolterodine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does tolterodine work (mechanism of action)?

Tolterodine increases the amount of pee that your bladder can hold by relaxing a muscle in your bladder.

How is tolterodine supplied (dosage forms)?

Tolterodine is available as Detrol, Detrol LA, and generic tolterodine in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

  • 2 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 4 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 1 mg oral tablets
  • 2 mg oral tablets

How should I store tolterodine?

Tolterodine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of tolterodine?

The most common side effects of tolterodine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Dizziness or drowsiness
  • Blurry vision

There may be other side effects of tolterodine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of tolterodine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of tolterodine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tolterodine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking tolterodine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Angioedema. Tolterodine may cause a certain type of allergic reaction called angioedema. The usual symptoms of this reaction include swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat. Stop taking the medicine and contact your healthcare provider if you have this type of swelling. If it is causing problems breathing, seek immediate medical attention.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use tolterodine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take tolterodine.

  • Detrol
  • Detrol LA
  • Tolterodine
  • Fesoterodine
  • Toviaz
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tolterodine products they stock.

Inability to Empty the Bladder (Urinary Retention). Do not take tolterodine if you have a condition called urinary retention.

Slow Emptying of the Stomach (Gastric Retention). Do not take tolterodine if you have delayed or slow emptying of your stomach, a condition called gastric retention.

Glaucoma. Do not take tolterodine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a condition that causes increased pressure inside the eye.

What should I know about tolterodine before using it?

Do not take tolterodine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share tolterodine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep tolterodine out of the reach of children.

You can take tolterodine with or without food.

Tolterodine can cause blurry vision, dizziness, and drowsiness. Do not drive or do other activities that require clear vision or alertness until you know how tolterodine affects you.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using tolterodine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if tolterodine is right for you.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney or liver problems
  • Stomach or intestinal problems
  • Problems peeing, a weak urine stream, or a blockage in your bladder
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • History or family history of a rare heart condition called QT prolongation (long QT syndrome)

Other Medicines and Supplements. Tolterodine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using tolterodine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how tolterodine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if tolterodine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does tolterodine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between tolterodine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tolterodine. The risk for dizziness or drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking tolterodine.

Does tolterodine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking tolterodine.

  • Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is used to treat mental health conditions
  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat), and itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which are medicines used for fungus infections
  • Clarithromycin and erythromycin, which are medicines used to treat bacterial infections
  • A medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
  • Any anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of tolterodine. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Does Tolterodine (Detrol) interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much tolterodine?

If you or someone else has taken too much tolterodine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of tolterodine?

If you miss a dose, take your next dose as you normally would. Do not take double or extra doses.

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