Medicine for Urinary Retention
Types of Medicines Used for Urinary Retention
- Alpha-blockers- Help relax the muscles around the bladder neck and prostate, making it easier to urinate, commonly used when an enlarged prostate is the cause.
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors- Used specifically for prostate-related urinary retention, helping shrink an enlarged prostate over time.
- Cholinergic agonists- Occasionally used to help stimulate bladder muscle contraction in certain cases of urinary retention.
- Treating the underlying cause- Medicines addressing conditions like urinary tract infections or nerve issues may also be needed alongside symptom-focused treatment.
How Do Medicines for Urinary Retention Work?
Medicines for urinary retention work in different ways depending on their active ingredients. Alpha-blockers relax muscles around the bladder outlet and prostate, making it easier for urine to pass, while other medicines may help the bladder muscle contract more effectively or shrink an enlarged prostate over time.
Because urinary retention often has an underlying cause, treatment frequently addresses that cause alongside symptom relief.
How to Choose the Right Medicine for Urinary Retention?
The right medicine depends on several personal factors, including:
- The underlying cause of your urinary retention
- Your age and, for men, prostate size
- Other health conditions you may have
- Other medicines you're currently taking
- Your doctor's assessment and prescription
- How severe your symptoms are
Dosage & How to Take Medicines for Urinary Retention
Dosage varies between different urinary retention medicines, so there's no single dose that fits everyone. Always follow what your doctor has prescribed.
General points to keep in mind:
- Take your medicine at the same time each day for consistency
- Some medicines are best taken at a specific time, such as after a meal- check your prescription
- If you miss a dose, don't double up- check with your doctor or pharmacist on what to do
- Never stop urinary retention medicines suddenly without medical advice
- Seek urgent medical care if you're completely unable to urinate, as this needs prompt treatment
Side Effects & Precautions
Common Side Effects
Alpha-blockers can cause dizziness, especially when standing up quickly. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may cause changes in libido or other hormonal effects.
Precautions
- Inform your doctor about any known allergies before starting a new medicine
- Let your doctor know about low blood pressure, as alpha-blockers can lower it further
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should only use urinary retention medicines advised by their doctor
- Some urinary retention medicines can interact with other drugs, including certain blood pressure medicines
- Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce dizziness from some medicines
- Seek emergency care if you experience complete inability to urinate or severe lower abdominal pain
Buy Medicine for Urinary Retention Online from PlatinumRx
You can buy medicines for urinary retention online from PlatinumRx. Browse medicines by their composition, compare available options and prices, and choose the medicine prescribed or recommended by your healthcare professional. PlatinumRx offers medicines from multiple brands and provides convenient online ordering and delivery.









