Effect of trospium chloride therapy on intraocular pressure and tear secretion in overactive bladder patients

To investigate the effect of trospium chloride, which has an anticholinergic effect, used in overactive bladder (OAB) treatment on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and tear secretion after 12 weeks of treatment.

This prospective study was performed at a single center between October 2014 and January 2016. A detailed history was obtained from the female OAB patients at the eye outpatient department. After checking the exclusion criteria, oral trospium chloride 30 mg bd was started. The patients were followed-up in terms of drug effectiveness and ophthalmic and other side effects at the 4th and 12th weeks. All procedures were repeated at both of these time-points.

The mean age of the patients was 48.98 ± 11.98 years (range 19-75). The data of 80 OAB patients were evaluated in the study. Trospium chloride did not cause any significant change in the OAB patients regarding their 4th week and 12th week IOP measurements (p = 0.251, p = 0.340, respectively). It was found to decrease tear secretion significantly at both time-points (p = 0.020, p = 0.001, respectively). Trospium chloride treatment of one patient (1.25%) was discontinued due to dry eye.

Trospium chloride decreases the symptoms in female OAB patients. Trospium chloride can be safely used in female OAB patients with normal IOP and no comorbidity as regards IOP changes as it did not cause a significant change in IOP in these patients. Pre-treatment and post-treatment dry eye symptoms of OAB patients about to start using trospium chloride should be queried beforehand as it can cause a statistically significant decrease in tear secretion. We concluded that it would be appropriate to refer the patients to an ophthalmologist before starting the drug if relevant symptoms are present.