Anticholinergic therapy: do the patients take the pills prescribed?

To evaluate how many patients with overactive bladder still take their prescribed medication at least 12 months later and to find out the reasons for discontinuation of the therapy.

Two hundred and ten patients who had received a prescription for anticholinergic medication were contacted by telephone 12-46 months later.

Out of 210 eligible patients 132 (63%) could be contacted and gave consent to participate in the study. 38% of them still took their medication after at least 12 months. 17% were continent or much improved, 13% a little improved, 8% were not improved, although still taking their medication. 62% did not take the original medication any more. 10% had never started with the medication, 42% took the medication for 3 months and 8% for 4-12 months. 25% had changed to another anticholinergic drug.

Anticholinergic therapy is often discontinued by patients and doctors. Patients with OAB therefore need counselling and follow-up in the long term to make sure that alternative treatment is offered if anticholinergic treatment does not work.