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Check For Meds That Can Cause Or Worsen Incontinence

Medication                                                                         Effect
Alpha-receptor agonists (pseudoephedrine)                             Urethral constriction and urinary retention (males)

Alpha-receptor antagonists (Minipress, Hytrin, Cardura)            Urethral relaxation and stress UI (females)

ACE inhibitors                                                                       Cough leading to stress incontinence

Anticholinergics (H1 antihistamines, antiparkinsonian agents)    Urinary retention, overflow incontinence, fecal impaction
 
Antidepressants, tricyclic                                                       Anticholinergic effect, alpha-receptor antagonist effect


Beta-receptor antagonists (Inderal, Lopressor, Tenormin, etc.)    Urinary retention

Calcium channel blockers                                                        Urinary retention, fecal impaction

Diuretics                                                                                 Polyuria, frequency, urgency

Methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline)                                     Polyuria, bladder irritation

Neuroleptics (Thorazine, Mellaril, etc.)                                      Anticholinergic effect, sedation

Opioids                                                                                  Urinary retention, fecal impaction, sedation, delirium

Sedative-hypnotics                                                                  Sedation, delirium, muscle relaxation

Source: Diane Newman, MSN, RNC, CRNP, FAAN,"Current Management of Incontinence in Long Term Care" American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators conference, Chicago (March 2005)

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