tolterodine tartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Bladder antimuscarinic, also called an anticholinergic.
Main role
Relieves urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence caused by overactive bladder.
Food
May be taken with or without food.
Driving
Do not drive or use machinery if it causes blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness or poor concentration.
What is tolterodine tartrate used for?
Licensed for symptomatic treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.
Urge urinary incontinence
Increased urinary frequency
Sudden urinary urgency
How does tolterodine tartrate work?
Tolterodine and its active metabolite block muscarinic receptors. This reduces bladder contractions, helping the bladder hold more urine and reducing urgency, frequency and urge leakage.
tolterodine tartrate preparations and strengths
Modified-release capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2 mg, 4 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg, 2 mg
How to take tolterodine tartrate
Follow the dispensing label and product leaflet. It may be taken with or without food.
Swallow film-coated tablets whole with sufficient fluid.
Swallow prolonged-release capsules whole; do not chew them.
Do not interchange standard and prolonged-release formulations without advice from a prescriber or pharmacist.
tolterodine tartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Constipation, indigestion, abdominal discomfort or wind
- Dizziness, sleepiness or vertigo
- Dry eyes or blurred vision
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Difficulty or pain when passing urine
Get urgent medical advice
- Inability to pass urine or marked difficulty emptying the bladder
- Severe constipation or suspected faecal impaction
- Chest pain or severe breathing difficulty
- Sudden facial, mouth, tongue or throat swelling, or other signs of anaphylaxis
- Confusion, hallucinations or marked disorientation
- Palpitations, fainting or a significant irregular heartbeat
tolterodine tartrate in pregnancy
Tolterodine is not usually recommended during pregnancy because human safety information is limited. A prescriber should weigh the individual benefits and uncertainties. Exposure alone does not usually require fetal monitoring beyond routine antenatal care.
tolterodine tartrate while breastfeeding
Product information advises avoiding tolterodine because human milk data are unavailable. UK specialist advice allows cautious use when clinically needed for a full-term, healthy infant, although an alternative may be preferred. Monitor feeding, weight gain, alertness, bowel function and wet nappies. Seek specialist advice for a premature or unwell infant.
tolterodine tartrate interactions
A medication review should consider metabolic interactions, combined anticholinergic effects and cardiac risk.
Clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole and HIV protease inhibitors
Potent CYP3A4 inhibition can increase tolterodine exposure and toxicity risk; product information does not recommend concomitant systemic use.
Other antimuscarinic or anticholinergic medicines
Combined effects can worsen dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, confusion and urinary retention.
Common questions about tolterodine tartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What symptoms does tolterodine tartrate treat?
It treats urinary urgency, increased frequency and urge leakage associated with overactive bladder syndrome.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. It may be taken with or without food.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.