Table 2.

Medications that may contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms and UI

MEDICATIONS	EFFECTS ON CONTINENCE
α-Adrenergic agonists, including midodrine, clonidine, and phenylephrine	Increase smooth muscle tone in urethra and prostatic capsule and may precipitate obstruction, urinary retention, and related symptoms
α-Adrenergic antagonists (α-blockers), such as doxazosin, alfuzosin, and tamsulosin	Decrease smooth muscle tone in the urethra and may precipitate stress UI in women
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors	Cause cough that can exacerbate UI
Anticholinergics (see Table 4 in Dyks and Sadowski¹²)	May cause impaired emptying, urinary retention, and constipation that can contribute to UI May cause cognitive impairment and reduce effective toileting ability
Calcium channel blockers	May cause impaired emptying, urinary retention, and constipation that can contribute to UI May cause dependent edema, which can contribute to nocturnal polyuria
Cholinesterase inhibitors	Increase bladder contractility and may precipitate urgency UI
Diuretics	Cause diuresis and precipitate UI
Lithium	Polyuria due to diabetes insipidus
Opioid analgesics	May cause urinary retention, constipation, confusion, and immobility, all of which can contribute to UI
Psychotropic drugs Sedatives Hypnotics Antipsychotics Histamine-1 receptor antagonists	May cause confusion and impaired mobility and precipitate UI Anticholinergic effects Confusion
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors	Increase cholinergic transmission and may lead to UI
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors	Glycosuria and polyuria, increased propensity to urinary tract infection
Others Gabapentin Glitazones Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents	Can cause edema, which can lead to nocturnal polyuria and cause nocturia and nighttime UI

UI—urinary incontinence.
Adapted with permission from the International Continence Society.¹³