[New pharmacological treatment concepts for overactive bladder]

Abstract

Muscarinic receptor antagonists such as oxybutynin, propiverine, tolterodine, or trospium are the basis of medical treatment for overactive bladder. While they are moderately efficacious, their use can be limited by adverse effects such as dry mouth. This has sparked the search for new treatment options. Vanilloid receptor agonists, tachykinin receptor antagonists, potassium channel openers, and beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists are currently under investigation, but are unlikely to become clinically available in the next few years. Therefore, current attempts to optimize treatment focus on improvement of existing drugs by new pharmaceutical formulations. Indeed, extended release formulations of oxybutynin (not available in Germany) or tolterodine have demonstrated an improved tolerability in clinical studies which was accompanied by an efficacy at least equal to that of their standard formulations.