Evaluation of Usefulness of Propiverine Hydrochloride in Poor Responders to Previous Anticholinergics.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, some patients have been unresponsive to anticholinergics used in the treatment of pollakisuria/urinary incontinence. It has been suggested that propiverine hydrochloride, which has not only anticholinergic activity, but also calcium antagonistic activity, may be useful in poor responders to other anticholinergics. In this study, a specific drug use-results survey was conducted in poor responders to other anticholinergics to evaluate the usefulness of propiverine hydrochloride.

METHODS: In this survey, propiverine hydrochloride was administered for 12 weeks to poor responders to previous anticholinergics, and its usefulness was evaluated by the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS).

RESULTS: A total of 3851 subjects at 680 institutions were enrolled in the survey. Of the 3624 subjects included in the safety evaluation (male 1899, female 1725, mean age 73.4 years), 2932 were included in the efficacy evaluation (male 1610, female 1322, mean age 73.8 years). Propiverine hydrochloride significantly improved the OABSS without any safety concerns in poor responders to previous anticholinergics (OABSS, 8.22 at baseline, 6.50 at Week 4, 5.87 at Week 8, and 5.57 at Week 12, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that propiverine hydrochloride may be a useful therapeutic option for poor responders to previous anticholinergics.