BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - The use of pseudoephedrine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, is an additional choice for the treatment of clozapine-induced urinary incontinence. When alpha-adrenergic receptors are activated, the smooth muscle of the bladder contracts, increasing urethral closure pressure, and that helps to maintain continence. Pseudoephedrine 30mg 4-times-a-day led to the remission of our patient’s symptoms who continues to remain continent to the current day, with the exception of occasional behaviors that impact his physical control. However, it is important to note that pseudoephedrine may not a safe medication intervention for all patients. Underlying medical illness such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease may preclude recommendations for widespread use. Further, there are multiple reasons for incontinence in patients treated with clozapine, including behavioral, that may warrant a different treatment plan.
We are currently expanding our research to pilot the use of pseudoephedrine in otherwise medically healthy young patients treated with clozapine who are experiencing incontinence that may respond to pseudoephedrine, and we will report our findings.
Written by:
Tammie Lee Demler1, 2 and Claudia Lee2 as part of Beyond the Abstract on UroToday.com. This initiative offers a method of publishing for the professional urology community. Authors are given an opportunity to expand on the circumstances, limitations etc... of their research by referencing the published abstract.
1University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
2Buffalo Psychiatric Center, Buffalo, NY
Corresponding Author:
Dr. Tammie Lee Demler, PharmD
Director of Pharmacy
Residency Program Director
Buffalo Psychiatric Center
400 Forest Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213-1298
Email:
Pseudoephedrine for the treatment of clozapine-induced incontinence - Abstract
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