The lack of effect of intramuscular emepronium bromide for urinary incontinence

Six elderly volunteers (4 men and 2 women), suffering from urinary incontinence due to small capacity, hyper-reflexic bladders, were assessed cystometrically 1/2 h, 1 h and 4 h after an intramuscular injection of emepronium bromide (Cetiprin). The dose given was sufficient to raise serum levels of emepronium to approximately 10 times those that could be reached with an oral dose. Analysis of the results showed that there was no significant difference in the state of the bladder at any time. The study confirms that emepronium bromide is ineffective in increasing bladder capacity in subjects with small, hyper-reflexic bladders. It has no value, therefore, in the management of urinary incontinence in elderly patients with this condition.