Oxybutinin versus propantheline in the management of detrusor instability. A patient-regulated variable dose trial

Two of the principal drugs used to treat detrusor instability, oxybutinin hydrochloride and propantheline bromide, were compared using clinical and urodynamic outcome measures in a randomized crossover trial with a patient-regulated variable dose regimen. Of the 23 women in the trial, 14 reported subjective improvement during treatment with oxybutinin hydrochloride compared with 11 during treatment with propantheline bromide. Apart from a greater increase in the maximum cystometric capacity with oxybutinin, there were no other objective differences between the two drugs. Oxybutinin significantly delayed the first desire to void, increased the maximum cystometric capacity and reduced the maximum detrusor pressure rise on filling. Propantheline significantly increased the maximum cystometric capacity and reduced the maximum detrusor pressure rise on filling. Three patients stopped treatment due to side-effects.