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module menu icon Other treatments

Other treatments

  • Medicines for urge incontinence: after six weeks of bladder training, NICE advises trying drug treatment if the woman has not experienced satisfactory improvement. Anticholinergics are commonly used, and all are currently prescription only medicines. Examples of antimuscarinic drugs include oxybutynin, tolterodine and solifenacin. When dispensing one of these medicines, NICE recommends an explanation be given to patients that side effects of dry mouth and constipation indicate that the medicine is working. However, constipation can contribute to, or worsen, urinary incontinence so patients need a strategy to deal with this if it turns out to be a problem. Duloxetine and mirabegron are among alternative treatments
  • Intravaginal oestrogen: this may be prescribed and can help to relieve bladder symptoms in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy
  • Complementary therapies: NICE advises against the use of complementary therapies for incontinence
  • Nurse experts: initial in-depth assessment is usually carried out by a nurse expert and they are often involved in providing some degree of behavioural therapy. Pharmacy professionals should make sure they know about available nurse services in the local area, including any associated with local GP practices
  • Absorbent pads and pants: pads and pull-up pants have a hydrophobic (fluid repellant) layer that draws urine away from the surface of the product so that the skin stays dry. Although NICE advises their use only while awaiting a diagnosis, patients may choose to use them to avoid potentially embarrassing leakage of urine.

Reflective exercise

  • What leaflets and information sources are available that you can recommend to people with urinary incontinence?
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