Medication for Treating Incontinence

Living with bladder leaks can feel frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, but treatment doesn’t always mean surgery. For many people, medications provide relief and help restore confidence. While medication isn’t a cure-all, it can reduce urgency, frequency, and leakage, making daily life easier. Let’s walk through the different options, what to expect, and how to combine them with supportive care.

When are medications prescribed for incontinence?

Doctors usually suggest medications when lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises don’t bring enough improvement. Medications are most effective for urge incontinence, where sudden bladder contractions cause strong urges and leaks. They may also be used alongside bladder training or with products like SPC reusable underwear and SPC bladder control products to provide extra protection while the body adjusts.

Common medications for overactive bladder and urge incontinence

The most widely used drugs are anticholinergics, such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, and solifenacin. They work by calming overactive bladder muscles and reducing spasms. Another option is mirabegron, which relaxes the bladder muscle in a different way and can have fewer side effects for some people. For women experiencing post-menopausal incontinence, low-dose vaginal estrogen may help improve tissue health and bladder control.

Possible side effects of incontinence medications

Like most prescriptions, these medications can come with side effects. Anticholinergics often cause dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, or drowsiness. Mirabegron may increase blood pressure, so monitoring is important. Estrogen treatments may cause local irritation. Talking openly with your doctor about any discomfort is key—sometimes switching to another medication or adjusting the dose makes all the difference.

How medications are used alongside other treatments

Medication rarely works best on its own. Doctors usually recommend combining it with pelvic floor therapy, bladder training, or dietary changes. For example, cutting back on caffeine or alcohol can make medications more effective. At home, caregivers often use SPC quilted underpads 30 x 36 or other SPC incontinence products during the adjustment phase, since it can take several weeks for the full benefits of medication to appear.

Alternatives if medications don’t work

Not everyone responds well to medication, and that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Other treatments include Botox injections into the bladder wall, nerve stimulation therapies, or in some cases, surgery. For many families, pairing medical care with high-absorbency SPC incontinence medical supplies provides a sense of control while exploring the right treatment path.

Supporting comfort at home during medication treatment

When starting a new medication, leaks may still happen until the body adjusts. Having protective products on hand like SPC reusable underwear, bladder control guards, or SPC quilted underpads makes life easier for both the individual and the caregiver. These products give peace of mind at night and reduce the stress of unexpected leaks during the day.

At San Pablo Commercial, we're a family-run business dedicated to supporting seniors and caregivers by offering dependable, affordable incontinence supplies. From SPC disposable underpads to reusable underwear and sanitary pads, our range is designed for comfort and confidence. We understand the challenges of managing incontinence and strive to make it easier for you to stay clean, dry, and independent every day.