Trospium chloride in the management of overactive bladder

[Functional (Nonorganic) Enuresis and Daytime Urinary Incontinence in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Guideline for Assessment and Treatment]

Functional (Nonorganic) Enuresis and Daytime Urinary Incontinence in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Guideline for Assessment and Treatment Abstract: Objective: Enuresis and daytime urinary incontinence are common disorders in children and adolescents and are associated with incapacitation and a high rate of comorbid psychological disorders. This interdisciplinary guideline summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding somatic and psychiatric assessment and treatment. We formulate consensus-based, practical recommendations. Methods: The members of this guideline commission consisted of 18 professional associations. The guideline results from current literature searches, several online surveys, and consensus conferences based on standard procedures. Results: According to the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS), there are four different subtypes of nocturnal enuresis and nine subtypes of daytime urinary incontinence. Organic factors first have to be excluded. Clinical and noninvasive assessment is sufficient in most cases. Standard urotherapy is the mainstay of treatment. If indicated, one can add specific urotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Medication can be useful, especially in enuresis and urge incontinence. Psychological and somatic comorbid disorders must also be addressed. Conclusions: The recommendations of this guideline were passed with a high consensus. Interdisciplinary cooperation is especially important, as somatic factors and comorbid psychological disorders and symptoms need to be considered. More research is required especially regarding functional (nonorganic) daytime urinary incontinence.

Novel Compounds in the Treatment of Schizophrenia-A Selective Review

Schizophrenia is a chronic neuropsychiatric syndrome that significantly impacts daily function and quality of life. All of the available guidelines suggest a combined treatment approach with pharmacologic agents and psychological interventions. However, one in three patients is a non-responder, the effect on negative and cognitive symptoms is limited, and many drug-related adverse effects complicate clinical management. As a result, discovering novel drugs for schizophrenia presents a significant challenge for psychopharmacology. This selective review of the literature aims to outline the current knowledge on the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia and to present the recently approved and newly discovered pharmacological substances in treating schizophrenia. We discuss ten novel drugs, three of which have been approved by the FDA (Olanzapine/Samidorphan, Lumateperone, and Pimavanserin). The rest are under clinical trial investigation (Brilaroxazine, Xanomeline/Trospium, Emraclidine, Ulotaront, Sodium Benzoate, Luvadaxistat, and Iclepertin). However, additional basic and clinical research is required not only to improve our understanding of the neurobiology and the potential novel targets in the treatment of schizophrenia, but also to establish more effective therapeutical interventions for the syndrome, including the attenuation of negative and cognitive symptoms and avoiding dopamine blockade-related adverse effects.

Advancements in Drug Repurposing: Examples in Psychiatric Medications

Because there are a limited number of animal models for psychiatric diseases that can be extrapolated to humans, drug repurposing has been actively pursued. This study was aimed at uncovering recent trends in drug repurposing approaches and new technologies that can predict efficacy on humans based on animal models used in psychiatric drug development. Psychiatric drugs that were approved by the FDA between 2002 and 2022 were listed, and the method of how the drug repurposing has been applied was analyzed. Drug repurposing has been increasingly applied to recently approved psychiatric drugs. The development concepts of psychiatric drugs that have been developed through drug repurposing over the past 20 years were found to be divided into six categories: new application exploration, reduction of side effects, improvement of symptom control, improvement of medication compliance, enhancement of drug efficacy, and reduction of drug-drug interactions. All repurposed drugs approved before 2016 used either prodrugs or active metabolites, while all drugs approved in 2021 and beyond used fixed-dose combinations with sophisticated ideas. SmartCube^®, which uses artificial intelligence to predict human drug efficacy from animal phenotypes, was developed and produced novel drugs that show clinical efficacy. Well-designed drug repurposing approaches and new technologies for predicting human drug efficacy based off of animal models would contribute to novel psychiatric drug development.

Comparison of tolterodine, trospium chloride, solifenacin treatments and its side effects on patients with pure urinary and mixed incontinence

Objective: Urinary incontinence is defined as urinary incontinence that is a social or hygienic problem and can be objectively demonstrated. It is aimed to compare tolterodine, trospium chloride and solifenacin treatments, and its side effects on patients who have complaints of pure urinary and mixed incontinence. Material and Method: Totally 98 patients, who applied to Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanım Gynecology Training and Research Hospital, Urogynecology Outpatient Clinic between November 2009 and October 2010 with compliants of urinary incontinence and met the criteria to participate in the research, have been included in this study. Results: A significant improvement in each three of the drug group at third and six months was determined. Solifenacin is generally more effective than the other two treatments. When total values of UDI-6 (Urinary Distress Inventory) survey is analysed, it is seen that each of three antimuscarinic drug group ensured improvement on symptoms at the end of the third month as not to be different from the improvement at the six month. Each three antimuscarinic drug group has a significant therapeutic effect on the IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire) survey which questions the life quality. Whereas complaints of constipation was seen more at patients that use tolterodine and trospium chloride, there was not a significant difference despite a slight increase in the solifenacin group (p>0.05). It is determined that solifenacin caused desert mouth less than the other two drug groups Conclusion: Tolterodine, trospium chloride and solifenacin as anticholinergic drugs meaningfully reduced the activity of bladder and increased the quality of life. Drug therapy provided an effective and efficient improvement on incontinence.

New and emerging treatments for schizophrenia: a narrative review of their pharmacology, efficacy and side effect profile relative to established antipsychotics

Schizophrenia is associated with substantial unmet needs, highlighting the necessity for new treatments. This narrative review compares the pharmacology, clinical trial data and tolerability of novel medications to representative antipsychotics. Cariprazine, brexpiprazole and brilaroxazine are partial dopamine agonists effective in acute relapse. Lumateperone (serotonin and dopamine receptor antagonist) additionally benefits asocial and depressive symptoms. F17464 (D3 antagonist and 5-HT1A partial agonist) has one positive phase II study. Lu AF35700 (dopamine and serotonin receptor antagonist) was tested in treatment-resistance with no positive results. Pimavanserin, roluperidone, ulotaront and xanomeline do not act directly on the D2 receptor at clinical doses. Initial studies indicate pimavanserin and roluperidone improve negative symptoms. Ulotaront and xanomeline showed efficacy for positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia in phase II trials. BI 409306, BI 425809 and MK-8189 target glutamatergic dysfunction in schizophrenia, though of these only BI 425809 showed efficacy. These medications largely have favourable cardiometabolic side-effect profiles. Overall, the novel pharmacology, clinical trial and tolerability data indicate these compounds are promising new additions to the therapeutic arsenal.

New Antipsychotic Medications in the Last Decade

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over the last ten years, the treatment of psychosis has seen a near explosion of creative development in both novel agents and new delivery modalities. The current review summarizes these developments over the past decade (2011-2020). We performed a systematic review utilizing PubMed and PsychInfo with the aim of identifying all the RCT and related analyses in adults with psychosis (schizophrenia and mania).

RECENT FINDINGS

We identified 11 significant developments: the introduction of new antipsychotics cariprazine, brexpiprazole, lumateperone, and pimavanserin; introduction of new delivery methods: subcutaneous long-acting risperidone, aripiprazole lauroxil, transdermal asenapine, and inhaled loxapine; and the introduction of new approaches such as olanzapine/samidorphan for olanzapine-associated weight gain, examination of the TAAR1 agonist SEP 363,856 as a test of concept, and the combination of Xanomeline/Trospium, an M₁ and M₄ muscarinic receptor agonist in conjunction with a peripheral anticholinergic. Last decade has seen a tremendous development in second-generation antipsychotics which provides unprecedented treatment options for clinicians in treating psychosis.

Current pharmacotherapy of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder is a symptom complex consisting of bothersome storage urinary symptoms that is highly prevalent among both sexes and has a significant impact on quality of life. Various antimuscarinic agents and the beta-3 agonists mirabegron and vibegron are currently available for the treatment of OAB. Each drug has specific pharmacologic properties, dosing schedule and tolerability profile, making it essential to individualize the medical treatment for the patient's characteristics and expectations. In this manuscript, we review the most important factors involved in the contemporary pharmacological treatment of OAB.

Visible-light photoredox-catalyzed umpolung carboxylation of carbonyl compounds with CO2

Photoredox-mediated umpolung strategy provides an alternative pattern for functionalization of carbonyl compounds. However, general approaches towards carboxylation of carbonyl compounds with CO₂ remain scarce. Herein, we report a strategy for visible-light photoredox-catalyzed umpolung carboxylation of diverse carbonyl compounds with CO₂ by using Lewis acidic chlorosilanes as activating/protecting groups. This strategy is general and practical to generate valuable α-hydroxycarboxylic acids. It works well for challenging alkyl aryl ketones and aryl aldehydes, as well as for α-ketoamides and α-ketoesters, the latter two of which have never been successfully applied in umpolung carboxylations with CO₂ (to the best of our knowledge). This reaction features high selectivity, broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, mild reaction conditions and facile derivations of products to bioactive compounds, including oxypheonium, mepenzolate bromide, benactyzine, and tiotropium. Moreover, the formation of carbon radicals and carbanions as well as the key role of chlorosilanes are supported by control experiments.

Compounds bearing a carbonyl group, such as aldehydes and ketones, are important industrial chemicals and widespread in pharmaceuticals and natural products. Here, the authors report a strategy for visible-light photoredox-catalyzed umpolung carboxylation of diverse carbonyl compounds with CO₂, to generate valuable α-hydroxycarboxylic acids.

Anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia: Time for action?

Evidence suggests that the prescription of bladder anticholinergics is increasing. Recent studies have accentuated concerns about whether certain prescribed medications could increase risk of dementia, including anticholinergic drugs, and specifically anticholinergics used for bladder symptoms. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to draw together the evidence to review the case for possible causation. Recognising this issue in 1965, Bradford-Hill set out nine criteria to help assess whether evidence of a causal relationship could be inferred between a presumed cause and an observed effect. In this commentary, we explore the extent to which associations between anticholinergics and dementia satisfy the Bradford-Hill criteria and examine the potential implications. First, we look at studies that have examined the relationship between anticholinergic drugs with urological properties (bladder drugs) and the onset of dementia, and then present those studies which specifically focus on the cognitive effects of bladder drugs that affect muscarinic receptors in the brain versus the bladder on older people along with suggestions for future research. We also discuss the risks and benefits of these drugs for treating overactive bladder. If it can be shown that certain medications carry a specific risk of dementia, it is possible that initiatives to change prescribing could become a key tool in reducing the risk of dementia and may be easier to implement than some lifestyle changes.

The clinical pharmacology of the medical treatment for overactive bladder in adults

INTRODUCTION

Overactive bladder is a prevalent symptom complex that affects the patient's quality of life. Any disruption between the neuronal micturition pathway can lead to bladder overactivity. Neurogenic causes, myogenic causes, aging, bladder outlet obstruction, sex, and psychological factors are some of the factors contributing to bladder overactivity. The complaint of any symptoms of OAB, which is highly prevalent and affects overall QOL, often needs therapeutic interventions. When conservative therapy methods fail, the addition of medications is recommended. The most commonly used agents for the treatment of OAB are antimuscarinic drugs. New classes of drugs, such as beta-3 agonists, have enriched our pharmacologic armamentarium.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, with a special focus on oral pharmacological treatments, we discussed the definition, etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of OAB.

EXPERT OPINION

OAB is a multifactorial condition with every patient presenting with a different collection of symptoms and signs. Medical therapies should be given in conjunction with behavioral therapies. Using high or low doses, flexible doses, and stopping or changing the medications are interchangeable strategies based on the level of treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction.

Urinary Morbidity in Men Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Localized Prostate Cancer Following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

Background: Clinical data suggest that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provides similar clinical outcomes as other radiation modalities for prostate cancer. However, data reporting on the safety of SBRT after TURP is limited. Herein, we report our experience using SBRT to deliver hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with a history of TURP including physician-reported toxicities and patient-reported quality of life.

Methods: Forty-seven patients treated with SBRT from 2007 to 2016 at Georgetown University Hospital for localized prostate carcinoma with a history of prior TURP were included in this retrospective analysis. Treatment was delivered using the CyberKnife® (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA) with doses of 35 Gy or 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions without prostatic urethral sparing. Toxicities were recorded and scored using the CTCAE v.4. Cystoscopy findings were retrospectively reviewed. Urinary quality of life data was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Scoring (IPSS) and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite 26 (EPIC-26). A Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test was used to determine if there was a statistically significant increase or decrease in IPSS or EPIC scores between timepoints. Minimally important differences were calculated by obtaining half the standard deviation at time of start of treatment.

Results: Forty-seven patients at a median age of 72 years (range 63–84) received SBRT. The mean follow-up was 4.7 years (range 2–10 years). Late Grade 2 and grade 3 urinary toxicity occurred in 23 (48.9%) and 3 (6.4%) men, respectively. There were no Grade 4 or 5 toxicities. Approximately 51% of patients experienced hematuria following treatment. Mean time to hematuria was 10.5 months. Twenty-five cystoscopies were performed during follow-up and the most common finding was hyperemia, varices of the bladder neck/TURP defect, and/or necrotic tissue in the TURP defect. Baseline urinary QOL composite scores were low, but they did not clinically significantly decline in the first 2 years following treatment.

Conclusions: In patients with prior TURP, prostate SBRT was well-tolerated. GU toxicity rates were comparable to similar patients treated with conventionally fractionated radiation therapy. Urinary quality of life was poor at baseline, but did not worsen clinically over time. Stricter dosimetric criteria could potentially improve the rate of high-grade late toxicity, but may increase the risk of peri-urethral recurrence.

Cardiovascular effects of antimuscarinic agents in overactive bladder

INTRODUCTION

The potential impact of antimuscarinics (AMs) on cardiac function is a major concern in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) patients, especially in older ones who are likely to present cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities and other risk factors that may predispose them to the adverse cardiac effects of this therapy.

AREAS COVERED

This article aims to review the literature on the impact on the CV system of AMs used in the treatment of OAB, giving a comprehensive explanation of the pathogenetic mechanisms of AMs' effects on CV system and the impact of each AM drug on cardiac function.

EXPERT OPINION

Although the CV safety of AM drugs seems to be good, evidence provided in this manuscript does not allow to exclude an increase in HR, QT prolongation or an increase in the CV risk due to drug-drug interactions in OAB patients who are usually elderly and have comorbidities. Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring may be necessary throughout the administration period in selected populations such as patients aged > 80 years, those with coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure. Further studies are needed to understand whether the most recently developed AM drugs, such as imidafenacin, are safer than the old ones.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of antimuscarinic drugs for overactive bladder treatment in females

INTRODUCTION

Antimuscarinics (AMs) are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), a symptom complex defined by the presence of urinary urgency, usually associated with frequency and nocturia, with or without urgency urinary incontinence. The AMs used to treat OAB differ in their pharmacological profiles, which may affect their potential for causing adverse effects (AEs).

AREAS COVERED

The present article aims to review the literature about pharmacokinetics (PK) of the different AMs used in the treatment of OAB. Furthermore, the AEs related to the use of these drugs and their incidence are presented. This systematic review is based on material searched and obtained via Medline, Pubmed and EMBASE up to March 2012 using the search terms "adverse events, pharmacokinetics, tolerability" in combination with "darifenacin, fesoterodine, imidafenacin, oxybutynin, propiverine, solifenacin, tolterodine, and trospium."

EXPERT OPINION

Antimuscarinics are the first-line pharmacological treatment for OAB. Despite the development of new molecules that improve their efficacy/safety profile, there are some drugs that are pharmacokinetically more appropriate to be prescribed in specific populations such as patients with neurological disease or the elderly. Moreover, research should be encouraged in evaluating antimuscarinics in conjunction with other drugs such as estrogens or beta-agonists. The identification of prognostic criteria for pharmacological therapy would be helpful.

An overview of the clinical use of antimuscarinics in the treatment of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder is a common and bothersome condition. Antimuscarinic agents, as a class, are the cornerstone of medical treatment of overactive bladder. They offer significant improvements in symptoms and patients' quality of life. Antimuscarinics are generally well tolerated with mild and predictable side effects. Available antimuscarinics have small, yet statistically significant, differences in their efficacy and tolerability profiles. In clinical practice, finding the agent that offers the optimum balance of efficacy and side effects for an individual patient remains the major challenge.

Anticholinergics for overactive bladder therapy: central nervous system effects

The mainstay of pharmacological treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) is anticholinergic therapy using muscarinic receptor antagonists (tertiary or quaternary amines). Muscarinic receptors in the brain play an important role in cognitive function, and there is growing awareness that antimuscarinic OAB drugs may have adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects, ranging from headache to cognitive impairment and episodes of psychosis. This review discusses the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of OAB antimuscarinics that affect their propensity to cause adverse CNS effects, as observed in phase III clinical trials and in specific investigations on cognitive function and sleep architecture. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched for "OAB" plus "muscarinic antagonists" or "anticholinergic drug." Additional relevant literature was identified by examining the reference lists of papers identified through the search. Preclinical and clinical trials in adults were assessed, focusing on the OAB antimuscarinics approved in the United States. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a key role in protecting the CNS, but it is penetrable. The lipophilic tertiary amines, particularly oxybutynin, are more likely to cross the BBB than the hydrophilic quaternary amine trospium chloride, for which there are very few reports of adverse CNS effects. In fact, in 2008 the US product labels for oral oxybutynin were modified to include the potential for anticholinergic CNS events and a warning to monitor patients for adverse CNS effects. Even modest cognitive impairment in the elderly may negatively affect independence; therefore, selection of an antimuscarinic OAB drug with reduced potential for CNS effects is advisable.

Pharmacologic management of urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and overactive bladder

Most drugs used in the treatment of urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction in women modulate neuromuscular transmission in the urethra and bladder. Pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for overactive bladder. Although several different antimuscarinic medications are available for the treatment of overactive bladder, most have similar efficacy and tolerability. Pharmacotherapy has a limited role in the management of stress incontinence and voiding dysfunction in women. Newer drugs that target different mechanisms of action are being developed for the treatment of urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction in women.

Medical management of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB), as defined by the International Continence Society, is characterized by a symptom complex including urinary urgency with or without urge incontinence, usually associated with frequency and nocturia. OAB syndrome has an incidence reported from six European countries ranging between 12-17%, while in the United States; a study conducted by the National Overactive Bladder Evaluation program found the incidence at 17%. In Asia, the prevalence of OAB is reported at 53.1%. In about 75%, OAB symptoms are due to idiopathic detrusor activity; neurological disease, bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) intrinsic bladder pathology and other chronic pelvic floor disorders are implicated in the others. OAB can be diagnosed easily and managed effectively with both non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies. The first-line treatments are lifestyle interventions, bladder training, pelvic floor muscle exercises and anticholinergic drugs. Antimuscarinics are the drug class of choice for OAB symptoms; with proven efficacy, and adverse event profiles that differ somewhat.

Trospium and cognition in patients with late onset Alzheimer disease

OBJECTIVES

Cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and antimuscarinic agents for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence (UUI) may reduce the potential effect of each other in the patients with both diseases. Trospium has a relatively low lipophilicity and low CNS penetration, and galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitors, has also allosterically modulates nicotinic cholinergic receptors. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dual use of trospium and galantamine for 6 months in the elderly patients with AD and UUI.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and seventy eight elderly patients: 99 UUI patients (Group I, treated with trospium), 43 AD patients (Group II, treated with galantamine) and 36 AD and UUI patients (Group III, treated with galantamine and trospium) were evaluated by geriatric assessments, the Global Perception Index (GPI), Patients' Satisfaction Question (PSQ), Estimated Patients' Improvement (EPI), nocturia and pads/day at baseline and in the 6th month.

RESULTS

Trospium increased the satisfaction of the patients in Groups I and III according to the EPI, PSQ, GPI, number of nocturia and pads/day. Decreasing in the GDS score was significant in the Group I and III (p < 0.05). Decreasing in the ADL score was significant in the Group III (p < 0.05). The MMSE scores were not significantly changed in the all groups during the 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, we have thought that a combination of trospium and galantamine could be recommended for the management of the elderly patients with UUI and AD, which are common problems in the elderly.

Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin succinate with or without previous use of trospium chloride

Overactive bladder syndrome (OBS) is described as urinary urgency with or without incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia in the absence of another identifiable pathological process. Nowadays and despite other alternative therapies, the mainstay of OBS is still the pharmacological approach, mainly with anti-muscarinic drugs. To compare the efficacy of a 30-day solifenacin succinate (5 mg OD) treatment with or without previous medication with trospium chloride, a prostective open, two-arm, parallel group study was conducted for 5 weeks in 40 patients with OBS. The primary endpoint was patient self-assessment of improvement after 30 days of medication. Secondary endpoints included the reduction of the daily number of voids and urgency or involuntary leakage episodes. Adverse reactions and therapeutic stoppage were also evaluated. To be included in the trospium chloride treatment group, patients were required to have been treated with such drug for 1 to 6 months before the present study. Evaluation and efficacy assessment were accomplished using a 3-day bladder diary and an urgency severity scale (USS). Safety assessment was done by recording all the patients' complaints after starting medication. A total of 40 patients were enrolled for this study, 19 without previous medication and 21 who had already tried trospium chloride. Two patients from the non-previous medication group were excluded. Globally, there was a statistically significant reduction for the USS (2.73-->1.73), the daily number of voids (9.5-->7.0), of urgency episodes (9.1-->4.0) and of involuntary leakage episodes (3.6-->1.0) over the 24 h. Six patients had no improvement, four from the previous trospium chloride group and two from the non-previous medication group. Three patients reported side effects, two cases of dry mouth and one case of constipation. One patient dropped out of the treatment due to an unspecified intolerance. Solifenacin succinate 5 mg seems to be effective concerning patients' self-assessment of improvement and decrease in the mean number of daily voids, urgency episodes and incontinence episodes. This was reported both in patients who have already been medicated with trospium chloride and those who have never taken any kind of medication. Regarding side effects, solifenacin is quite well-tolerated in both groups.

Pharmacotherapy for Nocturia in the Elderly Patient

Nocturia may be attributable to nocturnal polyuria (nocturnal urine overproduction), a diminished nocturnal bladder capacity or a combination of the two conditions.A disorder of the vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) system with very low or undetectable levels of vasopressin at night, affecting some elderly people, may cause an increase in the nocturnal urine output, which in the most extreme cases accounts for 85% of the 24-hour diuresis. The increased urine output can be treated with desmopressin orally at bedtime, generally using low doses. Self-imposed fluid restrictions before bedtime are not effective in reducing the nocturnal urine output in this condition. Nocturia is also more prevalent in association with a reduced bladder capacity. Antimuscarinic drugs are used in attempts to depress involuntary bladder contractions. Decreased nocturnal voided volumes in men and consequent increased nocturia may suggest difficulty in emptying the bladder or detrusor overactivity. alpha(1)-Adrenoceptor antagonists and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors are often used in men with symptoms indicative of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and one of their effects is reduction of nocturia. In women, estrogen deficiency, a common consequence of the menopausal transition, causes atrophic changes within the urogenital tract. Consequently, such women are more disposed to having urogenital symptoms, among them nocturia. This review emphasises the importance of correctly diagnosing and treating nocturia in elderly patients. This will improve patients' sleep and, in turn, reduce their risk of fall injuries and the associated detrimental consequences, thereby improving patients' health and quality of life.

Urinary incontinence: selected current concepts

UI is highly prevalent in older adults and associated with excess comorbidity and increased mortality. Intensive screening and comprehensive clinical examination of all elders enables prompt detection, accurate classification, and appropriate treatment. OAB is the most common cause of persistent incontinence in the older adult. As with other types of UI, behavior modification is first-line treatment of OAB. Although antimuscarinic agents have been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of OAB, limited data are available regarding the safety and tolerability of these agents in older adults. Patients who fail to respond to noninvasive treatment or those in whom surgery may be appropriate should be referred to the urologist for evaluation and further management.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of trospium chloride

Trospium chloride, a quaternary amine with anticholinergic properties, is used for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and urinary frequency. The pharmacokinetics of trospium chloride have been investigated in healthy volunteers, in patients with renal and hepatic impairment, and in those with symptoms of overactive bladder, after oral, intravenous and intravesical administration. After oral administration, absorption of the hydrophilic trospium chloride is slow and incomplete. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of approximately 4 ng/mL are reached 4-5 hours after administration of a 20 mg immediate-release preparation. The mean bioavailability is approximately 10% and decreases by concomitant food intake (to a mean of 26% of the fasting area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC]). Trospium chloride displays dose proportional increases in AUC and Cmax after a single dose within the clinically relevant dose range (20-60 mg). The mean volume of distribution is approximately 350-800 L. The drug is minimally (mean approximately 10%) metabolised to spiroalcohol by hydrolysis, is 50% plasma protein bound and does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Urinary excretion of the parent compound plays a major role in the disposition of the drug, with a mean renal clearance of 29 L/h (accounting for approximately 70% of total clearance) and a mean elimination half-life ranging from 10 to 20 hours. Elimination of the drug is slowed in patients with renal insufficiency, and population pharmacokinetic modelling has demonstrated that drug clearance is correlated with serum creatinine concentration. Thus, dose reduction is needed in patients with severe renal impairment (i.e. creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min). To date, no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions have been identified; the drug does not bind to any of the drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes. The pharmacokinetics of the drug are compatible with twice-daily administration. A once-daily schedule may also be appropriate, but this regimen needs formal clinical evaluation.

Urinary incontinence: economic burden and new choices in pharmaceutical treatment

In the year 2000, an estimated 17 million community-dwelling adults in the United States had daily urinary incontinence (UI), and an additional 33 million suffered from the overlapping condition, overactive bladder. Estimates of the total annual cost of these conditions range up to 32 billion US dollar; the largest components are management costs and the expenses associated with nursing home admissions attributable to UI. In most cases, patients with UI can be treated with pharmaceutical agents, in addition to behavioral therapy. Until recently, pharmaceutical therapy for UI has been limited, especially because the adverse effects of available agents resulted in poor adherence to treatment regimens. Recent innovations in molecular design and new dosage forms of UI medications offer the promise of fewer and less severe adverse effects and, thus, better treatment outcomes for patients. Additionally, the availability of multiple agents within a therapeutic class offers health care providers a spectrum of choices with which to personalize treatment for each individual patient. New pharmacologic treatment options for UI have the potential to allow greater independence for older persons who reside at home and to delay or avoid the costs of admission to long-term care facilities. Alternate dosage forms, which include patches and sustained-release formulations, may benefit patients who have difficulty chewing, swallowing, or remembering to take medications. Although these newer products are generally more expensive than older forms of therapy, they typically have more favorable cost-effectiveness ratios. Access to these new medications for patients enrolled in public and private health care plans may help to reduce the economic and social burden of UI care.

Neurogenic bowel and bladder in the older adult

Special skills are needed in caring for an elderly patient with a neurogenic bowel and bladder. One not only has to take into account the age-related changes that occur, but also how these changes impact on a patient already struggling with bowel and bladder issues because of various neurogenic causes. Incontinence of bowel and bladder leads to a loss of quality of life and physicians should be educated on the treatment available to provide the best care for their patients.

Improving the global management of the neurogenic bladder patient: part II. Future treatment strategies

BACKGROUND

Patients with neurogenic bladder represent a small fraction of the total overactive bladder population. As a consequence, development of new therapies in this area has largely focused on idiopathic urinary incontinence. The absence of data for patients with neurological disease has far-reaching implications, affecting reimbursement and physicians' willingness to prescribe therapies, and limiting access of potential valuable treatments to patients whose lives are significantly impaired by inadequately managed bladder symptoms.

SCOPE

The range of new therapies is increasing. Although many reviews of the overall safety, efficacy and mode of action of such treatments are available, there is limited information on how these treatments will best be used in clinical practice. We considered the current benefits and limitations of the various new licensed and unlicensed therapies and what role each would have in the future management of neurogenic urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide range of new treatments have been investigated for the management of overactive bladder; few, however, have been evaluated extensively in neurogenic urinary incontinence. Further studies are required to determine the optimal dosing regimes and formulations for individual sub-populations of neurogenic bladder patients and to determine the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. With the current experience available, two treatment algorithms for a subset of patients with neurological disease have also been proposed, which suggest at which stage of management and in which patients individual therapies for neurogenic urinary incontinence could be used.

The emergence of new drugs for overactive bladder

Overactive bladder is a common and distressing problem. Standard therapy is directed towards modifying the detrusor motor sensitivity and response via anticholinergic medication. Currently available medications are reviewed and alternative targets for treatment are presented.

Trospium chloride for the treatment of overactive bladder with urge incontinence

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence is caused by an overactive bladder, leading to symptoms of urgency, frequency, and incontinence. Urge incontinence occurs predominantly in women as they age.

OBJECTIVES

This article reviews the current primary literature concerning the efficacy and tolerability of the anticholinergic agent trospium chloride (TCl) in the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge incontinence, urgency, and frequency. The pharmacokinetics of TCl are also reviewed.

METHODS

Pertinent articles in English were identified through a search of MEDLINE (1966-present), EMBASE Drugs & Pharmacology (1980-third quarter 2004), Current Contents/Clinical Medicine (week 42, 2003-week 41, 2004), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MICROMEDEX Healthcare Series, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-present). The search terms were overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, trospium, randomized controlled clinical trial, oxybutynin, tolterodine, scopolamine, imipramine, desipramine, and propantheline.

RESULTS

TCl, a quaternary amine, exhibits high solubility in water but low oral bioavailability (9.6%) and poor central nervous system penetration. Approximately 80% of the absorbed fraction is renally eliminated as unchanged drug via active tubular secretion, with approximately 15% hepatically metabolized into a spiroalcohol and hydrolysis/oxidation products. In 3 placebo-controlled studies, patients who received TCl had an increase in maximum bladder filling capacity and bladder compliance, with a reduction in maximum cystometric capacity (P < 0.005); however, only 1 of these studies showed an increase in bladder compliance, with reductions in maximum detrusor pressure (P < 0.001), number of voids/d (P < or = 0.001), and incontinence episodes/d (P < or = 0.001). In another placebo-controlled study, TCl reduced the number of voids/d and incontinence episodes/d (both, P < or = 0.001). In 2 double-blind studies, TCl and oxybutynin were similarly effective in significantly increasing maximum cystometric capacity and bladder compliance, and in significantly reducing maximum detrusor pressure compared with baseline (all, P < 0.001); there were no significant differences between the 2 treatments at end point. In a third double-blind study comparing TCl and tolterodine with placebo, only TCl significantly reduced the frequency of micturitions/d (P = 0.01). Commonly reported adverse effects in patients receiving TCl included dry mouth, constipation, and headache.

CONCLUSIONS

In the 7 studies reviewed, TCl was effective and well tolerated in patients with urge incontinence caused by idiopathic detrusor muscle overactivity or neurogenic detrusor overactivity resulting from spinal cord injury. However, this agent was associated with anticholinergic adverse effects similar to those of other anticholinergic agents; careful monitoring of tolerability is required.

Outcomes associated with pharmacotherapy in overactive bladder

Overactive bladder is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the USA. Prevalence rates of overactive bladder are higher in women and increase with advanced age. Although the disease is not associated with mortality, it has significant impact on health-related quality of life amongst patients. Pharmacologic, as well as behavioral treatment therapies, are available for overactive bladder treatment with pharmacologic agents being the mainstay therapy. The purpose of this review is to outline the recent developments in the treatment of overactive bladder. This is an extensive review that provides important information on the outcomes associated with different pharmacotherapeutic agents used in overactive bladder. It concludes with the authors' opinions and suggestions for the future research in this area.

Overactive Bladder in the Elderly

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition characterised by the symptoms of urinary frequency and urgency, with or without urge incontinence and nocturia. The prevalence of OAB increases markedly with age in both men and women. OAB can have a detrimental effect on physical functioning and psychological well-being, as well as significantly reducing quality of life. Antimuscarinic therapy -- with or without behavioural therapy -- represents the most common treatment for patients with OAB. Several antimuscarinic agents are currently available for the treatment of OAB in adults, including oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium chloride, darifenacin and solifenacin. The antimuscarinics all appear to exert their clinical effect through inhibition of the bladder muscarinic receptors, but they vary both in structure and in their functional profile. While efficacy has been demonstrated in adult populations (including patients >65 years of age), few studies have been reported specifically in a geriatric population, and antimuscarinics are often underutilised in the elderly despite the marked increase in the prevalence of OAB in this age group. One explanation for this apparent underuse of an effective treatment option may be concerns about the frequency of anticholinergic adverse events, such as dry mouth; the likelihood of detrimental CNS effects, including cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances; and the potential for harmful interactions with existing pharmacotherapy. When selecting an antimuscarinic agent for the management of an elderly patient presenting with OAB, in addition to considering evidence of clinical efficacy and tolerability, issues of safety specific to an older population should be borne in mind. In particular, the likelihood of detrimental CNS effects should be considered, including cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances, secondary to anticholinergic load. Oxybutynin and tolterodine have both been associated with cognitive adverse events and effects on sleep architecture and quality. In contrast, trospium chloride and darifenacin do not appear to be associated with cognitive adverse events and trospium chloride does not negatively affect sleep architecture or quality. Biotransformation by the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system is an important step in the activation or elimination of a large number of drugs, including oxybutynin, tolterodine, darifenacin and solifenacin, raising the possibility of clinically relevant and potentially serious drug interactions. In elderly patients, such interactions are of particular relevance given the potential for declining activity of certain members of the CYP450 family combined with decreased hepatic blood flow, which can reduce first-pass metabolism and thus the bioavailability of drugs metabolised via this route. Of the antimuscarinic agents used to treat OAB, only trospium chloride is not extensively metabolised in the liver by the CYP450 system and is excreted largely as the active parent compound in the urine. This paper provides an overview of the pathophysiology of OAB and reviews current approaches to achieving a differential diagnosis and selecting appropriate treatment for the older patient. The pharmacology and clinical effects of current medication for the treatment of OAB symptoms in patients defined by the OAB pharmacology literature as 'elderly' are also reviewed.