Drugs That Can Cause or Aggravate Bladder Problems
Drugs can sometimes have effects on other parts of our bodies that were not
intended. As such, many drugs can cause or worsen bladder problems. The
following is a summary of the most common drug classes that can cause bladder
problems, including examples and a brief explanation of how they do so.
If you have any further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your
doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other health care professional.
Medication
Class
ACE Inhibitors
Alcohol
Example (s)
Possible Effect
Enalapril maleate – Vasotec ®
Ramipril – Altace ®
Benazepril Hydrochloride – Lotensin
®
Lisinopril – Zestril ®
Fosinopril – Monopril ®
Captopril – Capoten ®
Beer, Liquor and Wine
Can produce a
persistent cough,
leading to increased
abdominal pressure,
and causing loss of
bladder control.
Alpha-agonists
Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Sudafed ®
Any cough and cold product with the
above mentioned decongestant
AlphaPrazosin – Minipress ®
antagonists
Terazosin – Hytrin ®
Doxazosin maleate – Cardura ®
Anti-cholinergics Propantheline bromide –
Probanthine ®
Anti-histamines Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride (1st Generation) Benadryl®
Chlorpheniramine Maleate –
Chlor-Tripolon ®
Anti-psychotics
Loxapine – Loxapac ®
Haloperidol – Haldol ®
Dell Pharmacy
4057 New Street (at Walker's Line)
Burlington L7L 1S8
(905) 637-2880 Fax (905) 637-4119
Increase urine
production causing an
increase in frequency
of urination and an
urge to urinate. Also
slows your ability to get
to the bathroom.
Urinary retention.
Relax the urethral
muscles, resulting in
the leakage of urine.
Relax bladder, causing
urinary retention
See anti-cholinergics
(see above).
Possess anticholinergic actions
(see above) and can
cause sedation
(decreased perception
of the need to urinate).
Beta-agonists
Caffeine
Calcium
Channel
Blockers
Diuretics
Muscle
Relaxants
Isoproterenol Hydrochloride –
Isuprel ®
Coffee
Cola
Tea
Chocolate
Nifedipine – Adalat ®
Amlodipine – Norvasc ®
Verapamil – Verelan ®
Hydrochlorothiazide – HydroDiuril ®
Furosemide – Lasix ®
Amiloride Hydrochloride – Midamor
®
Triamterene – Dyrenium ®
Baclofen – Lioresal ®
Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride –
Flexeril ®
Orphenadrine Citrate – Norflex ®
Narcotic
Analgesics
Sedatives /
Anti-stress
Agents
Any Codeine containing products –
Tylenol #1 and #3 ®, 222’s ®
Diazepam – Valium ®
Alprazolam – Xanax ®
Sympatholytics
Alpha-methyldopa – Aldomet ®
Tri-cyclic
Antidepressants
Amitriptyline – Elavil ®
Desipramine – Norpramin ®
Nortriptyline – Aventyl ®
Dell Pharmacy
4057 New Street (at Walker's Line)
Burlington L7L 1S8
(905) 637-2880 Fax (905) 637-4119
Urinary retention.
Increase urine
production causing an
increase in frequency
of urination and an
urge to urinate.
Urinary retention.
Increase urine
production causing an
increase in frequency
of urination and an
urge to urinate.
Possess anticholinergic actions
(see above). Relax the
urethral muscles,
resulting in the leakage
of urine. May cause
sedation (decreased
perception of the need
to urinate).
Urinary retention.
Urinary retention and
sedation (decreased
perception of the need
to urinate)
Relax the urethral
muscles, resulting in
the leakage of urine.
Possess anticholinergic actions
(see above) and can
cause sedation
(decreased perception
of the need to urinate).