Advancements in pharmacologic management of the overactive bladder

Continued developments in the understanding of lower urinary tract function have led to improvements in the pharmacologic manipulation of bladder dysf unction. Drug delivery changes have produced drugs that provide better effi cacy and tolerability, thus improving patient compliance. Improvements in d rug delivery systems have altered drug bioavailability and pharmacokinetics . Active current investigation in new agents and delivery systems for intra vesical delivery has yielded intriguing early results that may substantiall y add to the armamentarium for the management of the overactive bladder (ur gency, frequency, urge incontinence). New developments in the understanding of the neuropharmacology of the bladder, peripheral pelvic nerves, and sac ral cord may provide agents with entirely new drug effects, either as prima ry agents or agents to be used in combination with currently available drug s. We herein review newer agents and drug delivery systems. UROLOGY 56 (Sup pl 6A): 41-49, 2000. (C) 2000, Elsevier Science Inc.