Serotonergic
Antidepressants and Urinary Incontinence
N. A. Votolato A1, S. Stern A2, R. M.
Caputo A3
A1 Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacy,
Ohio State University
A2 University of
Texas, Health Science Center At San Antonio; San Antonio,
Texas
A3 Division of Urogynecology and
Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Ohio State University,
Columbus, Ohio, USA
Abstract:
Abstract: Many new serotonergic antidepressants have been
introduced over the past decade. Although urinary incontinence
is listed as one side effect of these drugs in their package
inserts there is only one report in the literature. This
concerns 2 male patients who experienced incontinence while
taking venlafaxine. In the present paper the authors describe
2 female patients who developed incontinence secondary to the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors paroxetine and
sertraline, as well as a third who developed this side effect
on venlafaxine. In 2 of the 3 cases the patients were also
taking lithium carbonate and g-blockers, both of which could have
contributed to the incontinence. Animal studies suggest that
incontinence secondary to serotonergic antidepressants could
be mediated by the 5HT4 receptors found on the bladder.
Further research is needed to delineate the frequency of this
troubling side effect and how best to treat it.
Keywords:
Key words:Antidepressants - Serotonin - Urinary
incontinence
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