A historical perspective on anticholinergics in overactive bladder (OAB) treatment: “Foundations, current practices, and future prospects”

Antimuscarinics have long been the cornerstone of treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), with their use spanning decades. This paper reviews the pharmacological properties, historical use, clinical efficacy, and challenges associated with antimuscarinics, revealing that concerns regarding their side effects and lack of bladder selectivity have persisted throughout their history. While long-term efficacy and safety have been established in various populations, adherence remains low due to side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and cognitive impairment. The risk of cognitive side effects has led to increased scrutiny in older adults, where polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden are significant concerns. Despite advances, including newer formulations like extended-release versions and transdermal applications that improve tolerability, the fundamental issues of adherence and side effects have not been fully resolved. Intravesical administration has been explored to reduce systemic side effects, though its use remains limited to specific patient populations. Future directions in OAB treatment focus on exploring new pharmacological targets, including ion channels, enzymatic pathways, and gene therapy, to develop more selective and effective therapies. Additionally, phenotyping patients with OAB and personalised medicine approaches may enhance treatment outcomes. Despite these persistent challenges, antimuscarinics remain a critical component in the management of OAB.