Tolterodine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2022.

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]