Combining antimuscarinic agents can help control symptoms of overactive bladder in seniors who have not responded to high doses of a single agent, according to a new study.

Russian researchers evaluated more than 80 adults, all over age 65, who demonstrated signs of overactive bladder, including daily incontinence, increased intravesical pressure and reduced bladder capacity. All had been treated with double-dose antimuscarinic monotherapy in the past, and their symptoms hadn’t dissipated.

Antimuscarinics work by blocking certain muscle receptors in the bladder, thereby blocking the urge to urinate. 

For the study, the adults were split into three groups and treated with two antimuscarinics, instead of the usual monotherapy. The seniors monitored their symptoms through the keeping of a diary.

After six weeks, the participants reported the average number of daily incontinence events decreased from six to two. Average maximum bladder capacity increased by almost 200 mL and reflex volume increased by a little more than 100 mL.

Overall, 87.6% of seniors were treated successfully, making the combination of high-dosage antimuscarinics a viable option for overactive bladder treatment, the researchers said.

Results were published in UroToday International Journal.