FDA approves topical gel formulation of oxybutynin 3% to treat overactive bladder, will be used to treat symptoms of urge incontinence

Michelle Rivera

NEENAH, Wisconsin , December 16, 2011 (press release) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a topical gel to treat overactive bladder, according to Cole Petrochko, associate staff writer for MedPage Today. The gel is a formulation of oxybutynin 3% and it will be used to treat symptoms of urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is the frequent, sudden urge to urinate, says Lynn Wilson, Co-Founder of The CareGiver Partnership.

"Also known as overactive or oversensitive bladder, urge incontinence involves loss of control over the bladder, especially while sleeping, drinking or hearing running water," says Lynn Wilson, Co-Founder of The CareGiver Partnership. "Urge incontinence symptoms include feeling a need to urinate more than seven times per day or two times per night."

Urge incontinence generally has an underlying medical cause. Causes may be a urinary infection in the bladder or kidneys, stroke, diseases of the nervous system, tumors or cancer, interstitial cystitis, inflamed prostate, or surgery. Wilson says it's important a senior has a medical evaluation to understand the type and cause, then talks with a doctor about treatment options, which may include behavioral techniques, pelvic floor muscle exercises, medications or surgery.

Wilson shares the following tips to help control the urge to urinate, courtesy of the American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health in Aging:

* Stop what you're doing and remain still.
* Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles several times without relaxing in between.
* Take deep breaths and relax your body.
* Concentrate on suppressing the urge.
* Remain still until the urge passes.
* Walk at a normal pace to the bathroom while quickly squeezing your pelvic floor muscles.

Helpful lifestyle tips for managing urge incontinence include monitoring fluid intake and diet, avoiding bladder irritants like alcohol and caffeine, keeping a path clear to the bathroom, and wearing clothes and incontinence products that are easy to get on and off. Visit The CareGiver Partnership's page on Dealing With Adult Incontinence, or go directly to the blog for other helpful articles on managing incontinence and aging in place.

The CareGiver Partnership is a national direct-to-consumer retailer of home healthcare products for incontinence, diabetes, nutrition support and more. In its fifth year of providing products and services that help caregivers and loved ones maintain personal dignity, the company also offers an online library of more than 1,100 family caregiver resources and personal service by experts in caregiving. Call 1-800-985-1353 or visit online at www.caregiverpartnership.com.

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