Comprehensive medication guide to Tolterodine XR including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans; typically Tier 1–2 on most formularies. Some plans require step therapy with oxybutynin first. 90-day mail-order supplies may offer lower per-dose cost.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$178–$250 retail for generic 4 mg capsules (30-day supply); as low as $19–$20 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. The 2 mg strength is similarly priced with coupons.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Tolterodine XR (tolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules) is a prescription medication used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. Previously sold under the brand name Detrol LA by Pfizer — which has since been discontinued — the generic form is now widely produced by multiple manufacturers including Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Teva, and Viatris.
Tolterodine XR is an antimuscarinic drug that works by relaxing the detrusor (bladder) muscle, reducing the involuntary contractions that cause urgency, frequency, and urge urinary incontinence. The extended-release formulation delivers the medication gradually over 24 hours for once-daily dosing and improved tolerability compared to the immediate-release version.
It is FDA-approved for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. The drug was initially approved as an immediate-release tablet (Detrol) in 1998, with the extended-release capsule (Detrol LA) approved in 2000.
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Tolterodine XR is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. It works by selectively blocking muscarinic receptors — primarily the M3 subtype — on the smooth muscle of the urinary bladder (the detrusor muscle). In overactive bladder, the detrusor muscle contracts involuntarily due to excessive activation of these receptors by acetylcholine, causing sudden urges and frequency.
By occupying and blocking these receptors, tolterodine prevents acetylcholine from triggering unwanted bladder contractions. This allows the bladder to store more urine comfortably, reducing urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence episodes. After oral administration, tolterodine is metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 into an active metabolite called 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT), which also contributes significantly to the drug's bladder-relaxing effects.
The extended-release capsule releases tolterodine gradually over 24 hours, maintaining more stable plasma levels compared to the twice-daily immediate-release tablet. This results in more consistent OAB symptom control throughout the day and night, with reduced peak-related side effects such as dry mouth.
2 mg — extended-release capsule
Lower dose; used for patients with kidney/liver impairment or on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
4 mg — extended-release capsule
Standard adult dose; taken once daily with water, swallowed whole
1 mg — immediate-release tablet
IR formulation; taken twice daily; lower strength for dose adjustment
2 mg — immediate-release tablet
IR formulation; standard twice-daily dosing; pharmacokinetically equivalent to XR 4 mg QD
Tolterodine XR is generally well-stocked nationally in 2026. It is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database, and multiple generic manufacturers produce both the 2 mg and 4 mg extended-release capsule strengths. National supply is stable, though individual pharmacies may experience temporary stocking gaps due to supplier transitions, local demand, or the discontinuation of brand-name Detrol LA creating some confusion about availability.
Patients may occasionally find that their usual pharmacy is temporarily out of their specific dose (2 mg or 4 mg), particularly if that pharmacy is switching between generic suppliers. In these cases, nearby pharmacies or mail-order pharmacies typically have the medication in stock. Brand confusion — patients asking for 'Detrol LA' when the brand has been discontinued — can also create the perception of unavailability when the generic is readily accessible.
If you're having trouble locating Tolterodine XR at your pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription and texts you the results — saving you hours of hold music.
Because Tolterodine XR is not a controlled substance, any licensed prescriber with standard DEA prescribing authority can write a prescription. There are no special DEA Schedule requirements or additional certifications needed.
Tolterodine XR is commonly prescribed by the following types of healthcare providers:
Urologists — bladder and urinary tract specialists; most common specialist prescribers
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) — family medicine and internal medicine doctors
OB/GYNs and Urogynecologists — especially for women with pelvic floor-related OAB
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) — can independently prescribe in most states
Geriatricians — older adult specialists (though non-anticholinergic alternatives often preferred in elderly)
Tolterodine XR is available through telehealth in all 50 states. Platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, GoodRx Care, and Amazon Clinic can conduct OAB consultations and prescribe tolterodine XR electronically to your preferred pharmacy.
No. Tolterodine XR is not a controlled substance under the DEA's Controlled Substances Act. It has no DEA schedule and carries no restrictions on prescribing or dispensing that are specific to controlled substances.
This means any licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant can prescribe it without special DEA authorization beyond standard prescribing authority. Patients can fill it at any pharmacy, transfer prescriptions freely between pharmacies, and receive prescriptions through telehealth visits in all 50 states. There are no limits on refills from a controlled substance standpoint.
The most common side effects are anticholinergic in nature and include:
Dry mouth (most common, ~23% of patients)
Constipation
Headache
Dizziness or drowsiness
Blurred vision
Abdominal pain or upset stomach
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
Anaphylaxis or angioedema (face/throat swelling, difficulty breathing)
Urinary retention (inability to urinate)
QT interval prolongation / cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat, palpitations, fainting)
Anticholinergic CNS toxicity (confusion, hallucinations, disorientation) — especially in elderly patients
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Oxybutynin ER (Ditropan XL)
Older antimuscarinic; similar efficacy; more dry mouth and CNS side effects; generic ~$5-10/month. Often first-line due to low cost.
Solifenacin (Vesicare)
More bladder-selective antimuscarinic; once-daily; similar efficacy to tolterodine XR; generic now available. Slightly higher rate of constipation.
Mirabegron (Myrbetriq)
Beta-3 adrenergic agonist; different mechanism; no anticholinergic side effects; preferred for elderly patients; brand-name only (~$500+ retail). May raise blood pressure.
Fesoterodine (Toviaz)
Metabolized to same active compound (5-HMT) as tolterodine; available in 4 mg and 8 mg; may provide stronger OAB control; brand-name only.
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Ketoconazole / Itraconazole (antifungals)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inhibitors that increase tolterodine levels 2–2.5x. Reduce tolterodine XR to 2 mg once daily.
Clarithromycin / Erythromycin (antibiotics)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Increase tolterodine exposure significantly. Reduce dose to 2 mg QD.
Ritonavir / Cobicistat (HIV medications)
majorPotent CYP3A4 inhibitors. Substantially increase tolterodine blood levels. Use 2 mg QD if combination required.
Apalutamide / Enzalutamide (cancer drugs)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inducers. May reduce tolterodine effectiveness. Consider alternative OAB medication.
Fluoxetine / Paroxetine (antidepressants)
moderateCYP2D6 inhibitors that can moderately increase tolterodine levels. Monitor for increased anticholinergic side effects.
Amiodarone / Sotalol (antiarrhythmics)
majorAdditive QT prolongation risk. Use with caution; ECG monitoring may be warranted.
Other anticholinergics (oxybutynin, diphenhydramine, tiotropium)
moderateAdditive anticholinergic effects: increased dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, CNS effects. Avoid combination when possible.
Tolterodine XR (generic Detrol LA) remains one of the most established and well-studied treatments for overactive bladder. With multiple generic manufacturers now producing it, the medication is generally accessible and significantly more affordable than its brand-name predecessor — often $19–$20 per month with prescription discount coupons.
Availability is generally good in 2026, with no active national shortage. Patients who experience stocking issues at their pharmacy should ask for the generic by its full name (tolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules), check nearby pharmacies, or use their insurance mail-order option. Prescription discount programs like GoodRx and SingleCare can dramatically reduce the cost for uninsured or underinsured patients.
If you're struggling to fill your Tolterodine XR prescription, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near your location to find which ones have your medication in stock and texts you the results — no hold music, no repeat calls, and no wasted trips to an empty pharmacy shelf.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Tolterodine XR. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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