Overactive bladder affects an estimated 33 million Americans, the majority of whom are older women. Two treatments have recently received FDA approval.
On January 25, FDA approved Oxytrol for Women, the first over-the-counter treatment for overactive bladder in women ages 18 years and older. Oxytrol for Women is a patch that is applied to the skin every four days. Oxytrol for Women contains oxybutynin, a medicine that helps relax the bladder muscle. Oxytrol will remain available for men with overactive bladder by prescription only. Read the News Release
FDA approves Botox to treat overactive bladder
On February 18, 2013, FDA expanded the approved use of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) to treat adults with overactive bladder who cannot use or do not adequately respond to a class of medications known as anticholinergics. When Botox is injected into the bladder muscle, it causes the bladder to relax, increasing the bladder’s storage capacity and reducing episodes of urinary incontinence.