Advancements in pharmacologic management of the overactive bladder

Continued developments in the understanding of lower urinary tract function have led to improvements in the pharmacologic manipulation of bladder dysfunction. Drug delivery changes have produced drugs that provide better efficacy and tolerability, thus improving patient compliance. Improvements in drug delivery systems have altered drug bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Active current investigation in new agents and delivery systems for intravesical delivery has yielded intriguing early results that may substantially add to the armamentarium for the management of the overactive bladder (urgency, frequency, urge incontinence). New developments in the understanding of the neuropharmacology of the bladder, peripheral pelvic nerves, and sacral cord may provide agents with entirely new drug effects, either as primary agents or agents to be used in combination with currently available drugs. We herein review newer agents and drug delivery systems.