Does duloxetine make you urinate more? (3+ tips)

This article will explore whether duloxetine can increase urination. It will also explain the mechanisms by which duloxetine can impact urination. Additionally, the article will mention the factors that can increase urination while taking the drug.

Furthermore, this article will explore the research on duloxetine’s effect on urination frequency and urinary incontinence. Finally, it will discuss drugs that can increase urination and mention possible management strategies for this issue.

Does duloxetine make you urinate more?

No, duloxetine does not make you urinate more. There is no evidence in the scientific literature stating that duloxetine increases urination. Clinical trials have shown that duloxetine helps control urination, particularly in women with stress urinary incontinence. 

However, people respond to medications differently, and some people may have some risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing increased urination while taking duloxetine. Thus, it is important to inform your doctor about any undesirable changes in your bladder control or urination frequency.

How does duloxetine impact urinary function?

Duloxetine has been found to increase bladder capacity and enhance the activity and contraction of the urethral sphincter muscle, which helps with controlling and decreasing urination [1].

To illustrate, the bladder is often activated when glutamate is activated, leading to increased urination. However, duloxetine increases the levels of serotonin and epinephrine in the synaptic clefts of the pudendal motor neurons in the sacral spinal cord [1].

This increases the transmission of signals through the pudendal motor neurons to the urethral sphincter muscles, causing them to contract and close the urethra. As a result, duloxetine doesn’t increase urination but reduces the problem of unintentional urination [1].

What does research suggest?

In a case study, a patient experienced severe urgency and a high frequency of urination for 2 years. Despite trying various medications and approaches for 5 months, her frequent urination persisted [2].

However, after 6 weeks of taking duloxetine, the patient reported a 50% reduction in urination frequency. She went from urinating every 30 minutes to every 2 hours during the day. Additionally, she noted improved control over urination for up to 6 hours with duloxetine treatment [2].

These findings suggest that duloxetine not only doesn’t increase urination but also provides effective treatment for this issue.

Furthermore, in a clinical trial assessing duloxetine’s effect on urination, 0.4% of the duloxetine-treated participants reported a decrease in urination, leading them to believe they were experiencing urinary retention. Moreover, no one reported increased urination [1].

What factors influence duloxetine-related increased urination?

Several factors can increase urination while taking duloxetine. These factors include [3]:

• Drinking excessive amounts of fluids like water and juices, or consuming diuretic substances like caffeine or alcohol, can lead to increased urination while taking duloxetine.

• Individuals taking duloxetine who have a urinary tract infection may find that they need to urinate more frequently.

• Diabetic patients, especially those who do not have their blood glucose under control, are more likely to experience duloxetine-related increased urination.

• Kidney failure, which impairs the kidneys’ ability to filter blood efficiently and leads to a higher urinary volume, can result in increased urination in patients taking duloxetine.

• Certain medical conditions, such as interstitial cystitis, urinary incontinence, or prostate problems in men (such as prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia), can contribute to frequent urination.

• Pregnant women are more likely to experience duloxetine-related increased urination.

• Individuals suffering from diabetes insipidus may also experience increased urination while taking duloxetine, along with increased thirst.

• Hyperthyroidism can also increase the risk of duloxetine-induced increased urination.

• Concurrent administration of certain medications that have a diuretic effect can increase the likelihood of experiencing increased urination while taking duloxetine.

What other drugs may increase urination?

As previously demonstrated, there is no link between duloxetine and increased urination. However, other drugs may cause this side effect, and taking them with duloxetine can increase urination even more. Examples of these drugs are mentioned below [4]:

• Certain antidepressants like Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine.

• Certain blood pressure-lowering medications (diuretics) like thiazides, furosemide, amiloride, spironolactone, etc.

• Lithium

• A certain class of diabetes medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors

• Stimulants like Adderall can also increase urination.

• Alpha-blockers like prazosin and tamsulosin can relax the bladder neck muscles, leading to increased urination.

• Antipsychotics like aripiprazole, risperidone, olanzapine, and clozapine can cause diabetes insipidus and urinary incontinence.

What to do if you urinate more while on duloxetine?

If you find that you are urinating more frequently while taking duloxetine, it is important to first consult with your healthcare professional and ensure that this isn’t due to any underlying medical condition.

Moreover, if you suspect that duloxetine is the reason you are experiencing this, it may be better to take it in the morning to avoid waking up multiple times to go to the bathroom.

It is also essential that you maintain an appropriate level of hydration. Don’t drink too much, as this will increase your urination frequency even more. However, you should also make sure you’re properly hydrated. You should also limit your consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol, as they increase urination.

You can also try bladder training, as it has been proven to help with this condition. Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, can help strengthen the muscles that control urination.

In conclusion, based on my research, I have concluded that duloxetine does not increase urination. I found that it helps in decreasing urination frequency and treating urinary incontinence. However, people with risk factors of increased urination may urinate more while taking duloxetine.

I found that these risk factors include excessive fluid intake, high consumption of coffee and alcohol, and suffering from certain diseases like kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes insipidus, diabetes Mellitus, prostatitis, interstitial cystitis, urinary incontinence, and urinary tract infections.

In my perspective, if you experience increased urination while taking duloxetine, it is important to consult with your doctor. 

This may be also be caused by another medication that you’re concurrently taking, such as some blood pressure-lowering drugs, certain diabetes drugs, antipsychotics, and certain antidepressants.

Furthermore, I recommend monitoring your water intake, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and doing pelvic floor exercises.

References