From the Guidelines
Bladder spasms can be effectively treated with antimuscarinic medications such as oxybutynin, which is indicated for the treatment of detrusor overactivity in patients with neurogenic bladder, as supported by the study published in The Journal of Urology in 2016 1. The treatment approach for bladder spasms depends on the severity of the symptoms.
- For immediate relief, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (200-400mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can help reduce discomfort.
- Prescription antispasmodic medications such as oxybutynin (5mg twice daily), tolterodine (2mg twice daily), or solifenacin (5mg once daily) are often effective as they relax the bladder muscle, with oxybutynin being a recommended option for patients with neurogenic bladder 1.
- Warm baths for 15-20 minutes can provide natural relief by relaxing pelvic muscles.
- Dietary modifications are important; avoid bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, citrus, and artificial sweeteners.
- Staying hydrated with water (6-8 glasses daily) helps dilute urine and reduce irritation.
- Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), performed by tightening pelvic muscles for 5 seconds and releasing for 5 seconds, repeated 10-15 times three times daily, can strengthen muscles that control urination.
- Bladder training techniques involve gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits. For persistent spasms, consulting a healthcare provider is essential as they may indicate underlying conditions requiring specific treatment, and guidelines for managing urinary toxicity are lacking, but anticholinergic agents such as oxybutynin can be used for acute symptoms 1. In cases where drug therapy is ineffective, botulinum toxin A injection into the detrusor muscle may be considered 1. It's also important to note that lifestyle intervention, behavioral modification (bladder training and pelvic floor muscle exercises), and pharmacotherapy (antimuscarinic drugs) can be combined for the best results in treating overactive bladder due to idiopathic detrusor overactivity 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Oxybutynin chloride is indicated for the relief of symptoms of bladder instability associated with voiding in patients with uninhibited neurogenic or reflex neurogenic bladder (i.e., urgency, frequency, urinary leakage, urge incontinence, dysuria). Tolterodine tartrate tablets are indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.
The treatment for bladder spasm may involve the use of medications such as oxybutynin or tolterodine, which are indicated for the relief of symptoms of bladder instability and overactive bladder respectively 2, 3.
- Oxybutynin is used to relieve symptoms of urgency, frequency, urinary leakage, urge incontinence, and dysuria.
- Tolterodine is used to treat overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. However, it is essential to note that bladder spasm is not explicitly mentioned in the provided drug labels, and therefore, the use of these medications for this specific condition would be based on the clinician's judgment and the patient's overall clinical presentation.
From the Research
Bladder Spasm Treatment Options
- Anticholinergic drugs are a common treatment for overactive bladder symptoms, including bladder spasms 4, 5
- Tolterodine and oxybutynin are two anticholinergic drugs that have been compared in several studies, with tolterodine showing a reduced risk of dry mouth 4, 5, 6
- Extended-release formulations of oxybutynin and tolterodine have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of overactive bladder, with oxybutynin being more effective in reducing micturition frequency 6
Alternative Treatment Options
- Botulinum toxin A (onabotulinum toxin A) has been shown to be effective in treating urinary incontinence and overactive bladder symptoms, including bladder spasms 7
- Onabotulinum toxin A can be injected into the bladder muscle to reduce symptoms of overactive bladder, with a dose of 100U being effective for idiopathic detrusor overactivity 7
Prevention of Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort
- Oxybutynin and tolterodine have been shown to be effective in preventing catheter-related bladder discomfort, with a significant reduction in incidence and severity of discomfort 8
- Pretreatment with either oxybutynin or tolterodine can reduce the incidence and severity of catheter-related bladder discomfort, making them potential options for patients undergoing surgery that requires urinary bladder catheterization 8