Efficacy and tolerability of tolterodine extended-release in continent patients with overactive bladder and nocturia

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of tolterodine extended-release (ER) in continent patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and nocturia. PATIENTS AND METHODS A post hoc analysis was conducted of data from a 12-week, double-blind study of 850 patients randomized to tolterodine ER (4 mg once daily) or placebo, taken within 4 h of going to bed. Patients with a mean of >= 8 voids/24 h were enrolled, including a mean of >= 2.5 voids/night. Patients completed 7-day voiding diaries, and for each void an urgency rating was assessed using a 5-point scale (1, none; 5, urgency incontinence); 24-h voids were categorized by urgency rating: total (1-5), non-OAB (1-2), OAB (3-4), and severe OAB (4-5) voids. All adverse events were recorded. RESULTS The post hoc analysis included 513 patients (243 placebo; 270 tolterodine ER; 58% men) who were continent at baseline; 47% of 24-h voids were classed as non-OAB, and 12% as severe OAB. After 12 weeks of treatment, tolterodine ER significantly reduced mean urgency rating and 24-h OAB, severe OAB, and total voids vs placebo. Tolterodine ER did not affect normal, non-OAB voids, and there were no significant adverse events related to voiding. Other than dry mouth (tolterodine ER, 9% vs placebo, 2%), all the adverse events were reported in < 3% of patients; < 2% of patients receiving tolterodine ER withdrew because of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS In continent patients with OAB, tolterodine ER significantly improved urgency rating and reduced 24-h OAB, severe OAB, and total voids, suggesting that it is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for this subpopulation. More studies are needed to better understand the clinical efficacy of tolterodine ER in this under evaluated group of OAB patients without incontinence.