Incontinence drug does not seem to harm thinking

The question: A list of common drawbacks of aging probably would include a need for more medication, the increased likelihood of cognitive problems (some brought on by the added drugs) and a growing probability of bladder problems. Might a drug used to treat an overactive bladder also affect thinking?

This study randomly assigned 129 people 65 years of age or older who did not have dementia to take darifenacin (Enablex) or a placebo daily. Participants took varying doses (up to 15 milligrams) for two-week periods three times, with seven days between sessions. Tests of memory, reaction time and word recognition produced virtually identical results for people who took the drug and those who took the placebo. Also, the drug did not affect cognition when compared with participants’ test results from the start of the study.

Who may be affected by these findings? Older people with an overactive bladder.

Bottom line: Older people with an overactive bladder may want to ask a doctor about darifenacin.

Find this study: February issue of the Journal of Urology; abstract available online at www.jurology.com.

Learn more about overactive bladder by searching for “incontinence” at http://familydoctor.org and www.afud.org.