Which medications are commonly associated with acute urinary retention, and how should I manage these cases?

Medications commonly associated with acute urinary retention include anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs can impair bladder emptying by affecting detrusor muscle contractility or bladder outlet resistance.

Recommended management for acute urinary retention involves immediate catheterisation to relieve retention. Following catheterisation, an alpha blocker (such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, or terazosin) should be offered to men to facilitate bladder emptying before attempting catheter removal.

For men with chronic urinary retention, consider self- or carer-administered intermittent catheterisation before offering an indwelling catheter.