Voltage-gated Na+ Channel Blockers Reduce Functional Bladder Capacity in the Conscious Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

Three Nav blockers-lamotrigine, mexiletine, and carbamazepine-demonstrated a reduction in micturition pressure and functional bladder capacity, similar to previous observations with muscarinic antagonists. These 3 Nav blockers are free of muscarinic antagonism, consistent with their cystometric effects being mediated via their Nav blocking activities. The negative findings reported here with Nav blockers suggest that Nav channel blockade is unlikely to reflect an improved treatment strategy for bladder disorders over currently prescribed muscarinic antagonists.