Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Foul Body Odor And Overactive Bladder While Taking Trospium?
Posted on
Fri, 5 Jun 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 5 Jun 2015
Answered on
Fri, 26 Jun 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I recently started trospium for overactive bladder since then my body is throwing off this odor that's bad could it be the medicine or could it be something more serious.
Brief Answer:
Can't find body odor as side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX
I am sorry you are having this problem.
I did a search of the literature on Sanctura (brand name of trospium) and could not find body odor as one of the side effects. The manufacturer lists side effects that occur in 0.5% or more of people taking this medication during the clinical trials that led to the drugs approval.
Here is the pdf from the manufacturer - see Section 6 adverse reactions: http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/sanctura_pi.pdf
However, that does not mean that it is absolutely not possible for this medication to cause this side effect in you. Particularly if it came on when you started taking it.
Under Medications Tried you wrote "nothing as if he did not here me, changed the medication.". Do you meant that your doctor changed your medication from trospium to something else now? What did he not here?
If your doctor agrees (I don't want to recommend a med change and override your relationship with your doctor) - you can try going off the trospium for a couple of weeks and see if the odor resolves. Maybe use no medication at all during that time (I am assuming this bladder medicine is the only med you take?) Or, you can go in and ask for a brief evaluation for body odor (such as blood sugar and urine for sugar, thyroid check (TSH), and CBC for signs of infection.
My guess is it's the trospium.
Please let me know if I can help with further information or clarification.
Can't find body odor as side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX
I am sorry you are having this problem.
I did a search of the literature on Sanctura (brand name of trospium) and could not find body odor as one of the side effects. The manufacturer lists side effects that occur in 0.5% or more of people taking this medication during the clinical trials that led to the drugs approval.
Here is the pdf from the manufacturer - see Section 6 adverse reactions: http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/sanctura_pi.pdf
However, that does not mean that it is absolutely not possible for this medication to cause this side effect in you. Particularly if it came on when you started taking it.
Under Medications Tried you wrote "nothing as if he did not here me, changed the medication.". Do you meant that your doctor changed your medication from trospium to something else now? What did he not here?
If your doctor agrees (I don't want to recommend a med change and override your relationship with your doctor) - you can try going off the trospium for a couple of weeks and see if the odor resolves. Maybe use no medication at all during that time (I am assuming this bladder medicine is the only med you take?) Or, you can go in and ask for a brief evaluation for body odor (such as blood sugar and urine for sugar, thyroid check (TSH), and CBC for signs of infection.
My guess is it's the trospium.
Please let me know if I can help with further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
