Tolterodine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 19, 2023.

Applies to tolterodine: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Tolterodine

Along with its needed effects, tolterodine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking tolterodine:

More common

• Abnormal vision, including difficulty with adjusting to distances
• bloody or cloudy urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• frequent urge to urinate

Less common

• Chest pain
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• shivering
• shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• tightness of the chest or wheezing
• trouble with sleeping
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Being forgetful
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, ankles, lower legs, or feet
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• hives
• itching
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• mood or mental changes
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• skin rash
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss

Other side effects of Tolterodine

Some side effects of tolterodine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• constipation
• drowsiness
• dry eyes
• dry mouth
• upset stomach

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• blurred vision
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• dry skin
• fear or nervousness
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• heartburn
• indigestion
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach discomfort
• weight gain

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to tolterodine: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, arrhythmia, abnormal ECG, hypertension

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac failure

Postmarketing reports: Tachycardia, peripheral edema, flushing^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Dry skin, acne, rash/erythema

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (35%)

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, ulcerated stomatitis

Frequency not reported: Gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting^[Ref]

General

The most common adverse events reported were dry mouth, headache, constipation, vertigo/dizziness, and abdominal pain. Dry mouth, constipation, abnormal vision (accommodation abnormalities), urinary retention, and xerophthalmia are expected side effects of antimuscarinic agents.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, urinary tract infection, micturition frequent

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity not otherwise specified

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Influenza-like symptoms, infection^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Weight gain, abnormal alkaline phosphatase, enzyme abnormality^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, leg pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, vertigo/dizziness, migraine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia, memory impairment

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Convulsions^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal accommodation, xerophthalmia, vision abnormal^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, chest pain, malaise, pain, fall^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, anxiety

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness

Postmarketing reports: Confusion, disorientation, memory impairment, hallucinations, aggravation of symptoms of dementia (e.g., confusion, disorientation, delusion) after therapy was initiated in patients taking cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of dementia^[Ref]

Renal

Postmarketing reports: Renal dysfunction^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, coughing, dyspnea^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer