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Home > Drug Category > Overactive Bladder Medication > Sanctura and Equivalent

Sanctura Information

Sanctura (Trospium) is an antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) medication primarily used to treat overactive bladder, a condition in which the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily and unpredictably. These erratic bladder muscle contractions lead to specific symptoms, including urinary urgency (a sudden, compelling need to urinate that is difficult to defer), urge urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine immediately following a sudden urge), and increased urinary frequency (needing to urinate many more times than usual).

Trospium works by blocking the chemical signals that cause the bladder muscle to contract involuntarily. Normally, the body releases a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which binds to muscarinic receptors on the bladder's detrusor muscle, triggering it to contract. In an overactive bladder, these contractions happen too frequently or unpredictably. Trospium exerts its therapeutic effects by physically binding to the same muscarinic receptors, blocking acetylcholine from binding to them. This, in turn, causes the bladder wall to relax, increases the amount of urine the bladder can hold, and reduces sudden and frequent bladder contractions.

Because of its specific chemical structure, Trospium carries a permanent positive charge that prevents it from easily crossing the blood-brain barrier, meaning its muscle-relaxing effects are concentrated on the bladder rather than affecting brain function.

Sanctura Side Effects

While its major effects are concentrated on the bladder, it may still cause some unwanted effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and headache. Other less common side effects may include difficulty emptying your bladder, blurred vision, drowsiness, and decreased sweating. Be sure to inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects and if they persist or worsen.

Stop taking this medication and seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as breathing difficulties, a rash, itching, hives, blistering of the skin, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat. Be sure to inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Sanctura Precautions

Do not use this medication if you currently have or have had:
• Allergic reaction to trospium chloride, or any other ingredients in Sanctura;
• Delayed stomach emptying;
• Difficulty passing urine or urinary retention;
• Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma;

This medication should be used with caution in some individuals with certain medical conditions. Before starting this medication, ensure that you inform your doctor about any prior or current medical conditions, including the following:
• Controlled narrow-angle glaucoma;
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic constipation, intestinal blockage, and ulcerative colitis;
• Heart disease, including a family history of an abnormal heart rhythm called long QT syndrome;
• Kidney disease;
• Liver disease;
• Muscle problems such as myasthenia gravis;

Taking alcohol with this medication, especially the extended-release formulation (Sanctura XR), can drastically increase the risk of severe systemic side effects, particularly drowsiness and dizziness. Also, taking trospium with some other medications like digoxin, procainamide, morphine, and vancomycin can potentially alter the blood concentrations of either trospium or the co-administered drug. Close monitoring is typically recommended. Therefore, before using this medication, inform your doctor about any other medications you are currently taking, including herbal medicines and supplements, to determine if it is safe to use along with trospium.

There are no well-controlled studies on trospium use in pregnant women, so it should only be used if the clear benefits outweigh any potential fetal risks. It is also unknown whether the drug is excreted into human breast milk, though animal studies show it passes into rat milk. Additionally, because trospium blocks acetylcholine, it can suppress prolactin secretion in women and potentially decrease overall milk production. As a result, it is important to consult your doctor before taking this medication while breastfeeding. It is not recommended for use in children.

Like other medications in its drug class, trospium can reduce the body’s ability to sweat. In hot environments or during strenuous exercise, this suppression of the body's natural cooling mechanism significantly elevates the risk of severe heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Therefore, avoid exposure to hot environments or strenuous physical exertion while taking this medication. Store this medication at room temperature, out of sunlight and moisture, and out of children's reach.

Do I need a prescription to order Sanctura?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Sanctura.