Tolterodine for overactive bladder: Time to onset of action, preferred dosage, and 9-month follow-up

This is a prospective study of 28 patients who had urinary frequency (>8 times/day) and either urgency or urge incontinence (>1 time/day). After a 2- week run-in period (visit 1), the patients were started on tolterodine 1 mg twice a day (bid) (visit 2). They were followed at 4 and 8 weeks (visits 3 and 4). The patients were contacted by telephone 1 week after visit 2. Tolterodine was increased to 2 mg bid if the patient had incomplete improvement at either the initial phone call or during visit 3. Evaluation criteria were daily micturition charts including urinary frequency, nocturia, leakage episodes, average urine volume per day, and average voided volume. Tolterodine was well tolerated without side effects in 20 (80%) of 28 patients. Eight patients (20%) dropped out after enrollment because of side effects in 3, no improvement in 2, and missing visits (>1) in 3. Drug dosage in the 20 patients who tolerated tolterodine was 1 mg bid in 3 and 2 mg bid in 17 (85%). According to micturition charts, urinary frequency, nocturia, and leakage episodes decreased significantly after tolterodine treatment, whereas average urine volume per day and average voided volume did not change significantly. There were no electrocardiographic or biochemical abnormalities due to tolterodine treatment. Mean follow-up was 9.4 months. All 20 patients who tolerated tolterodine continue to take the medication without significant side effects. We conclude that tolterodine is well tolerated and effective for overactive bladders. Two milligrams bid is the dosage preferred by the majority of patients and the onset of action is seen within 1 week of treatment. Long-term compliance and efficacy are excellent, with no dropout in >9 months of follow-up.