Over-the-counter medications to stop frequent urination

Key takeaways

• Oxybutynin transdermal patches are available over-the-counter (OTC) and may help manage frequent urination by reducing bladder muscle contractions. You should apply them twice a week.
• Some OTC supplements may help regulate bladder function, such as magnesium hydroxide to relax bladder muscles, L-arginine for urinary tract health, and pumpkin seed extract for urinary incontinence.
• Lifestyle measures may also help, such as reducing sodium and limiting diuretic foods and drinks like caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners, especially before bedtime.

Overview

While most medications to treat overactive bladder (OAB) require a prescription, some OTC options may help you lower the frequency of trips to the bathroom. One of the most common is available as adhesive patches. Certain supplements may also help regulate bladder function.

Medications for OAB can help relax your bladder muscles. This, in turn, lowers the urgency to urinate and helps manage urination.

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article uses the term “women” when discussing people assigned female at birth to reflect language that appears in source materials. 

While gender is solely about how you identify yourself, independent of your physical body, you may need to consider how your personal circumstances will affect diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment. Learn more about the difference between sex and gender here.

Oxybutynin transdermal patches

Oxybutynin transdermal patches are an OTC medication that can help manage OAB symptoms. This is only available as an OTC drug for women with OAB, while a version for men is prescription only.

You typically need to apply oxybutynin transdermal patches twice a week and change them every 3 to 4 days. You also need to use these patches on the same 2 days every week. The medication delivers 3.9 milligrams (mg) of oxybutynin to your body.

A sudden, frequent urge to empty your bladder usually happens because your bladder muscles contract (tighten) even when it’s not full. Oxybutynin works by reducing these contractions.

According to some 2020 research, transdermal patches are as effective as oral treatments. They also make it easier for people to stick to their medication and improve patient satisfaction, with fewer anticholinergic side effects.

But oxybutynin transdermal patches may still cause some side effects, including:

• dry mouth
• constipation
• rash, itching, or burning sensation where applied
• upset stomach and abdominal cramping
• headaches
• tiredness and drowsiness
• blurred vision

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Supplements for frequent urination

Certain supplements and herbs may help you naturally regulate your bladder. But these may interact with other medications you may be taking. Before considering any supplements or herbs, speak with a doctor to understand if they can cause side effects with any of your other medications.

Supplements that may help with frequent urination include:

Magnesium hydroxide

Sudden muscle contraction can cause OAB, but magnesium may help regulate this. Taking these supplements may help relax bladder muscles and improve incontinence.

Some 2025 research suggests that people with OAB are more likely to have reduced magnesium levels. This suggests that magnesium supplements, like magnesium hydroxide, may be helpful.

But these supplements may cause several side effects, including:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• abdominal cramping

L-arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that helps your body create nitric oxide. This is a compound that plays an important role in keeping the lower urinary tract healthy and reducing the signals the bladder sends to empty it.

An older 2017 study found that taking a supplement called Edicare, containing 115 mg of L-arginine, could help older adults with OAB. Many L-arginine supplements are available, and several foods also contain this amino acid, including:

• meat
• dairy products
• fish
• walnuts
• peanuts
• soy protein
• cereals

Always speak with a doctor before taking any L-arginine supplements. They may not be safe for people with certain existing conditions, and they may interact with other medications.

Pumpkin seed extract

Pumpkin seed extracts and oil are a natural treatment for frequent urination that can help improve incontinence.

Researchers are currently investigating the beneficial effects of pumpkin seed extracts and oils on frequent urination and OAB.

Prescription medications for frequent urination

Most medications for treating OAB are prescription only. Common examples may include:

• oxybutynin (Ditropan XL)
• solifenacin (Vesicare)
• tolterodine (Detrol)
• mirabegron (Myrbetriq)
• trospium (Sanctura XR)

If your symptoms aren’t easing with medications, a doctor may suggest a nonsurgical procedure like peripheral tibial nerve stimulation. This involves stimulating the nerves connected to the bladder.

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What lifestyle measures can help?

Lifestyle measures can play an important role in OAB treatment. They may help relieve OAB symptoms, sometimes even better than medical treatment.

If you have a high amount of sodium in your diet, decreasing it may help reduce the volume of urine you produce. Consider limiting the amount of foods and drinks that have diuretic properties (which cause increased urination), particularly before bedtime, like:

• tea, coffee, and caffeinated drinks
• alcohol (if you drink)
• fizzy drinks and citrus fruit drinks
• chocolates and artificial sweeteners
• tomato and tomato-based juices

To help reduce the need to use the toilet, you may also consider lowering your fluid intake before bed or before doing any activity that prevents you from using the bathroom.

Bladder retraining may also help ease OAB symptoms. This involves increasing the length of time before you empty your bladder. This training can help gradually improve the amount of fluid your bladder can hold and reduce the sense of urgency that people with OAB may experience.

Pelvic floor muscle training is a method that can help decrease OAB symptoms in women. It involves repeating exercises that cause your pelvic muscles to contract and then relax. Examples include Kegel exercises and vaginal weight training.

Doctors can recommend the most appropriate treatment and lifestyle measures to help ease OAB symptoms.

When to speak with a doctor

Contact a doctor if you experience any difficulties in controlling your bladder and often feel an urgency to go to the toilet. Needing to urinate frequently may signal a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Doctors can diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your condition. It’s also important to speak with a doctor before starting any new supplementation.

If your symptoms include burning or painful urination, unusual urine color, or a fever, seek medical attention straight away.

Summary

Some OTC medications and supplements may help reduce OAB symptoms and improve bladder control.

Making some lifestyle changes, like avoiding diuretic drinks and foods and reducing salt intake, may also help ease OAB symptoms.

Bladder retraining exercises may also help decrease how often you need to urinate, increase the amount of liquids your bladder can hold, and reduce the urgency of emptying the bladder.

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