Ditropan XL vs. Detrol

Posted by Ed on April 17, 1999 at 15:13:42
I am post radical prostatectomy and have both stress and urge incontinence. The urge component keeps getting me up several times at night. My urologist has suggested that I try Ditropan XL. The 1999 PDR does not list this drug, but it does list plain Ditropan. My pharmacist says that they are the same drug and the side effects should be about the same. My urologist says the side effects of Ditropan XL are less than those of plain Ditropan and about the same as Detrol. That's not much comfort, because the problems of cardiac arhythemia and gloucoma both concern me.
Is one drug better than the other in this regard?
Is there a better drug?
Posted by HFHS M.D.-AK on April 17, 1999 at 19:21:00
Dear Ed,
I think the better drug is the one that works for you.  The new extended release Ditropan XL is meant to give a once a day sustained dosage of medication.  The side effects tend to be decreased since the peaks and troughs of the medication are avoided.
In regards to which drug is actually better, you cannot say.  They both work by different mechanisms of action and therefore will have different effects in the same person.  I suggest you try whatever drug your doctor prescribes, but remember, the medication in ditropan (inexpensive) is the same medication in Ditropan XL (expensive).  Therefore if price is an issue, you may want to take the regular Ditropan and save yourself some money.
When looking at cardiac arrhythmias, Ditropan XL has cardiac side effects in less than 5% of its users, and this is generally tachycardia(increased heart rate).  Palpitation, is the only symptom related to a arrhythmia.  Speaking of Detrol, the only suggestion of cardiac arrhythmia was in relation to an overdose.  The company recommends EKG monitoring in following a patient that has overdosed.
Overall, I think both drugs are very safe.  I would ask your doctor and pharmacist to follow you closely for the symptoms you are concerned about, but you probably can take either of the medications safely.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.  More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Medication
Posted by Linda Swartz on April 24, 1999 at 09:16:07
My mother is 67 years old.  She has bladder spasms as diagnosed by her doctor.  She has tried Detrol/DitropanXL and it does not help.  What other prescription drugs are available?  Are there particular drug manufacturers that specialize in developing drugs that control "bladder spasms"?   In addition, she is allergic to sulfa based drugs.

Posted by HFHS M.D.-AK on April 26, 1999 at 15:55:55
Dear Linda,
There are many medications that are used to reduce spasms of the bladder.  The names of the medications are Urispas (flavoxate); Levsin, Cystospaz, Anaspaz (hyoscyamine); Extended release Levsinex Timecaps, Cystospaz M; Tofranil (imipramine); Ditropan and Ditropan XL (oxybutynin); and Detrol (telterodine).  Any of these medications can be used safely if under a doctor