Table 1: Summary of drugs that can cause or aggravate incontinence

Drugs   Mechanism of Action
Sedatives   Cloud consciousness - less aware of bladder sensation
Antihistamines    
Antidepressants    
Antipsychotics    
Tranquillizers    
Hypnotic    
     
Drugs with anti-cholinergic effects   Reduce detrusor contractility
Major tranquillizers    
Tricyclic antipressants    
Antiparkinsonian drugs    
Antihistamines    
       
Adrenergically-active drugs    
Blockers e.g. Prazosine   Sphincter relaxation
Agonists e.g. Ephedrine   Sphincter contraction
       
Calcium-channel blocker   Reduce detrusor contractility
       
Diuretics (especially loop diuretics)   Increase bladder filling rate