Overactive Bladder
6 medicines
Overactive bladder is a sudden, hard-to-ignore urge to pass urine, often with frequent trips to the toilet and waking at night. It is treated with bladder training and medicines such as solifenacin and mirabegron.
Key facts
- Overactive bladder is a sudden, strong urge to pass urine that is hard to put off, often with frequent trips to the toilet and waking at night to go; some people also leak before reaching the toilet.
- The bladder muscle squeezes when it should stay relaxed, signalling "full" well before it actually is; it is common and very treatable.
- First steps are practical: spacing fluids, easing off caffeine and alcohol, and bladder training. Medicines that settle the bladder muscle include antimuscarinics such as solifenacin, tolterodine, oxybutynin, and darifenacin, plus mirabegron, which works a different way.
- See a doctor if symptoms disrupt sleep or daily life, or get checked promptly for blood in the urine, pain when passing water, fever, or sudden trouble emptying the bladder.
How it shows up
The core sign is urgency: the need comes on fast and feels urgent. Alongside it, you may go more than eight times a day, wake once or twice a night, or have small leaks when an urge hits. Triggers such as cold weather, running water, or arriving home can set it off. Bladder irritants matter too: caffeine, fizzy drinks, and alcohol all push the bladder to act, and cutting back on water to reduce trips only concentrates urine and makes urgency worse.
How it is treated
First steps are practical: spacing fluids sensibly, easing off caffeine and alcohol, and bladder training to stretch the gap between visits. Pelvic floor exercises help many people regain control. When that is not enough, medicines settle the bladder muscle. Antimuscarinics such as solifenacin, tolterodine, oxybutynin, and darifenacin reduce unwanted contractions, while mirabegron works a different way, relaxing the bladder as it fills. You can see the full range on our bladder page.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if symptoms are disrupting sleep, work, or daily life, or if changes appeared suddenly. Get checked promptly for blood in the urine, pain or burning when passing water, fever, or sudden trouble emptying the bladder, as these point to something other than overactive bladder.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.