What Is Trospium?

Trospium is an overactive bladder medication that relaxes the bladder to alleviate the symptoms of the condition. It is taken by mouth twice a day and, unlike many medications, should not be taken with food. Some minor side effects are gas, dry mouth or eyes, and headache, but trospium occasionally causes serious side effects that should be evaluated by a doctor. The drug is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women because it may not be safe, though research is lacking in this area.

This medication is released over time in the body and works best on an empty stomach. Most people take trospium one hour before breakfast in the morning and again before bedtime. If a dose is skipped, it is to be taken an hour before the patient’s next meal or skipped entirely if the next meal is when another dose is to be taken. A double dose of trospium should never be taken without permission from a health professional.

Minor side effects of trospium include dryness of the mouth, eyes and nose and constipation. A small percentage of people taking trospium experience difficulty breathing and swallowing, rash or hives, or difficulty urinating. These are serious side effects, and a doctor should be alerted as soon as possible. In addition, it is possible to overdose on this medication, with symptoms such as a fast heartbeat, sensitivity to light, and widened pupils. Emergency services should be contacted if the person stops breathing or collapses; otherwise, a poison control center can be called to immediately take action on the situation.

A normal side effect of trosipum is a lessened ability to cool one’s body, which increases the risk of heat stroke. Even though this side effect does not affect everyone, all people taking this medication should avoid extreme heat for safety reasons. Being outdoors for long period of time on a hot day, exercising a lot on a merely warm day, and similar things can lead to dizziness, vomiting, and other symptoms of heat stroke.

Studies show that trospium increases miscarriage in lab rats, but does not appear to affect fertility. No research was performed on humans, nor have there been documented reports of differing side effects on pregnant women. Trospium is not recommended for use in pregnant women until researchers are positive there is no danger, but it can be used if the potential benefits outnumber the potential risks to the child.