Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Lead To Urinary Retention

By Ramsay Crooks

Published on July 22, 2005

Miriam C. J. M. Sturkenboom at the Department of Medical Informatics at Eramus University, Rotterdam and colleagues studied data from more than 72,000 men aged 45 and older. The study found that urinary retention, the abnormal holding of urine in the bladder due to muscle failure, was twice as high in patients using NSAIDS.

"I have been aware of the effects of cox-2 inhibitors on bladder function for a long time," said Dr. William D. Steers, chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Virginia Health System. "There is some basic science to suggest that cox-2 inhibitors can relax bladder muscle. Clinically, I'm not sure it's a big deal, because many drugs cause urinary retention."

The drugs have recently been the center of attention as a result of cardiovascular issues associated with their use. Both Bextra and Vioxx were pulled from the shelves recently after studies indicated increased risks of stroke and heart attack.

"People might think this is another nail in the coffin of cox-2 inhibitors, in addition to the recent uproar over them in heart disease," Steers said. "I don't think so."

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