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Combination and Novel Pharmacologic Agents for OAB

  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Voiding Dysfunction (J Sandhu, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To evaluate recent literature on combination and novel pharmacologic therapies for overactive bladder (OAB).

Recent Findings

Combination therapies demonstrating greater efficacy than monotherapy include combination anticholinergics, anticholinergic plus β-3 agonist, and anticholinergic with behavioral modification, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, or sacral neuromodulation. Promising novel therapies include new bladder selective anticholinergics, new β-3 agonists, and gabapentin.

Summary

OAB is a symptom complex caused by dysfunction in the interconnected neural, muscular, and urothelial systems that control micturition. Although several therapeutic targets and treatment options exist, complete resolution is not always achieved, discontinuation rate for medical therapy is high, and few patients subsequently progress to third-line treatment options. Recent literature suggests combination therapy diversifying therapeutic targets is more effective than targeting a single pathway and novel treatments targeting additional pathways have promising results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1250 Waters Place, Tower Two, 9th floor, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Whitney Clearwater

  2. Department of Urology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1250 Waters Place, Tower 1 PH, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Farzaan Kassam & Nitya Abraham

  3. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Arshia Aalami Harandi

  4. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Urology, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Christopher F. Tenggardjaja

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  1. Whitney Clearwater
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  2. Farzaan Kassam
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  3. Arshia Aalami Harandi
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Correspondence to Nitya Abraham.

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Clearwater, W., Kassam, F., Aalami Harandi, A. et al. Combination and Novel Pharmacologic Agents for OAB. Curr Urol Rep 23, 129–141 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-022-01097-7

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