Detrusitol
Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Detrusitol will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door with free next-day delivery†. No hidden fees. No delays. Just expert care.
* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.


Other Related Treatments
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Detrusitol Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
Blerone, Mariosea, Neditol, Preblacon, Detrol LA
About Detrusitol
Detrusitol contains tolterodine tartrate, an antimuscarinic, as its active ingredient. It helps to reduce bladder muscle spasms and the urge to frequently urinate, caused by these spasms. Detrusitol is used to treat the symptoms of an overactive bladder, such as:
- Urinary urgency (a sudden and urgent need to pee)
- Urinary frequency (needing to pee more often than usual)
- Urinary incontinence (wetting yourself)
Tolterodine relaxes muscles around your bladder, allowing your bladder to hold more liquid, stopping you from needing to pee as often or as urgently. It is available with a prescription as generic tolterodine or under brand names such as Detrusitol, and Neditol.
NowPatient offers generic tolterodine or the branded treatments for urinary incontinence only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Detrusitol
- For the treatment of urinary incontinence
- Detrusitol starts to work within 3 to 8 hours but full effects may take up to 4 weeks to be seen
- Possible side effects of Detrusitol include dry mouth or headache
- It can be dangerous if you take Detrusitol with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- You will normally take Detrusitol tablets twice daily or slow-release capsules once daily
Who is Detrusitol suitable for?
Tolterodine may be taken by adults. It may also be given to children 2 years of age and over, on specialist advice.
Who is Detrusitol not suitable for?
Detrusitol may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Detrusitol if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient tolterodine or any of the inactive ingredients such as calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate or titanium dioxide
- Have urinary retention
- Have gastric retention
- Have kidney or liver disease
- Have myasthenia gravis
- Have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
- Have a severe stomach or bowel condition
- Have toxic megacolon or ulcerative colitis
- Have any heart problems such as heart failure, long QT syndrome, or an irregular or slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Have heartburn or acid reflux
- Have a hiatus hernia
- Have any nerve damage
- Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
How and where to get Detrusitol?
You can buy Detrusitol safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of urinary incontinence, you can discuss if Detrusitol is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.
Dosage and strength for Detrusitol for urinary incontinence
Detrusitol is available as 1mg and 2 mg tablets as well as 4 mg extended-release capsules when used for urinary incontinence.
Information about how to take tolterodine for urinary incontinence
Tolterodine film-coated tablets or the extended-release capsules should be taken whole with a glass of water, with or without food, at the same time each day. Do not chew, crush or break open the capsules.
If you are taking the tablets, you will normally take 2mg in the morning and evening, leaving a 12-hour gap between doses. If you have liver or kidney disease, your dose may be reduced to 1mg twice a day. If you are taking the extended-release capsules you will normally take 4mg once a day, unless you have liver or kidney problems, in which case you will take 2mg tablets once a day. For further information please speak to a healthcare professional for medical advice.
What happens if you take too much Detrusitol?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Detrusitol and you experience any of the following side effects:
What are the side effects of Detrusitol?
Side effects of Detrusitol are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision
- Gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, burping, or passing wind, abdominal pain
- Palpitations
Serious side effects include:
- Faecal impaction
- Urinary retention
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Swollen ankles or legs
- Angioedema – swollen face, throat or tongue, difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Disorientation
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Chest pain
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Information about taking Detrusitol at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There may be drug interactions when using herbal remedies and supplements when taking Detrusitol. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medicinal products, such as:
- Erythromycin or clarithromycin
- Ketoconazole or itraconazole
- Metoclopramide or cisapride
- Medication for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine or procainamide
- Cyclosporine
- Vinblastine
Can Detrusitol taken for urinary incontinence be taken long-term?
You should not take Detrusitol longer than you need to. Your doctor will check that you still need to take Detrusitol every 6 to 12 months.
Is there a herbal Detrusitol?
No. Herbal Detrusitol does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Detrusitol?
Women can take Detrusitol, but it is not recommended in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor about taking Detrusitol if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or when breastfeeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Detrusitol?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Detrusitol. Some drinks may however irritate your bladder, making your symptoms worse. These include:
- Coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks
- Fizzy drinks
- Alcohol
- Diet drinks or those with artificial sweeteners
- Citrus, orange, grapefruit or lime juice
What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with urinary incontinence?
Modifying your lifestyle may have a positive impact on your urinary incontinence and quality of life. These may include:
- Pelvic floor muscle training to improve your bladder control
- Stay well hydrated to maintain a healthy urinary function
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
- Urinate when you feel the urge to
- When urinating, wait once you have finished for a few moments, and then try again to make sure the bladder is emptied completely
Alternatives to Detrusitol
Alternatives for the treatment of urinary incontinence include Betmiga, Yentreve and Emselex.
Sources
- Tolterodine – a medicine for treating symptoms of an overactive bladder – NHS
- Tolterodine: MedlinePlus Drug Information
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Detrusitol
What is Detrusitol?
Detrusitol is a brand name for tolterodine tartrate, an antimuscarinic medication used for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms including urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. Detrusitol is available as 1 mg and 2 mg immediate-release tablets and as Detrusitol XL 4 mg prolonged-release capsules. It is manufactured by Pfizer and is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.
How does Detrusitol work?
Detrusitol blocks muscarinic receptors (particularly M2 and M3 subtypes) in the bladder wall, reducing involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle during the filling phase. This increases bladder capacity, reduces urgency, and decreases the frequency of urination. Tolterodine is relatively bladder-selective compared to older antimuscarinics like oxybutynin, resulting in fewer side effects such as dry mouth.
How do I take Detrusitol?
Detrusitol immediate-release: 2 mg twice daily, reduced to 1 mg twice daily if side effects are troublesome. Detrusitol XL: 4 mg once daily. Swallow capsules/tablets whole with water, with or without food. The prolonged-release (XL) formulation is taken once daily and generally causes fewer side effects than the immediate-release version due to more consistent drug levels throughout the day.
What are the side effects of Detrusitol?
Common side effects include dry mouth, headache, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, dry eyes, and dizziness. The XL formulation typically causes less dry mouth than immediate-release tablets. Uncommon side effects include drowsiness, blurred vision, and urinary retention. In elderly patients, anticholinergic medications may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and falls. If side effects are troublesome, discuss switching to mirabegron (Betmiga) with your prescriber.
How can I get Detrusitol?
Detrusitol requires a prescription from your GP, urologist, or online prescriber such as NowPatient. It is available on the NHS. Generic tolterodine is also available and is bioequivalent at a lower cost. Your prescriber will assess your overactive bladder symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment.
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