Urinary Incontinence Associated With Metoclopramide

Abstract

To the Editor.— Metoclopramide-induced urinary incontinence attributed to a possible relaxing effect of this drug on the urethral sphincter 1 betrays an astute observer with a good sense of intuition. Indeed, a significant drop in maximum urethral closure pressure within two minutes of intravenous administration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-releasing hormone lasting for ten minutes was recently described. 2 Since the effect of metoclopramide and TSH-releasing hormone on the pituitary is similar with regard to TSH and prolactin release, it is reasonable to suggest that an analogous situation exists in the urethral smooth muscle. Urodynamic studies might demonstrate such an effect for metoclopramide as well.