A second look at emepronium bromide in urinary incontinence

Response to oral and intramuscular emepronium bromide was assessed cystometrically in nine patients with urinary incontinence caused by an uninhibited bladder. Oral therapy had no effect, whereas intramuscular administration increased bladder capacity and significantly delayed the onset of bladder spasm and the desire to void. Plasma-propranolol response was delayed and concentrations were reduced after an oral 40 mg dose of propranolol in 3 patients who had received oral emepronium bromide. These results indicate that although oral emepronium bromide had some anticholinergic effect--i.e., in reducing gastrointestinal motility--absorption of an oral dose was not sufficient for the bladder to be affected.