Health library

Pills that make you go (to the bathroom)

If you're incontinent, your medicine may be to blame.

If you have a bladder control problem, its source may be in your medicine cabinet. Certain medicines—such as diuretics, muscle relaxants and sedatives, and narcotics—can contribute to incontinence.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, other things that can interfere with bladder control include:

Caffeine drinks such as coffee, tea and cola.
Alcohol.
Antihistamines.

If you are having bladder control problems, be sure to talk to your doctor. If medicines are to blame, there may be others you can take.

If there is no substitute, your doctor can make other suggestions for solving the problem. Remember, you should never stop taking medicine without talking to your doctor.

Reviewed 5/7/2025