Twenty consecutive female patients with urge incontinence and stable detrusor 
function on provocative rapid fill CO2-cystometry were treated as out-patients 
with a bladder training programme and with terodiline/placebo in a double-blind 
cross-over design. Frequency and incontinence episodes decreased significantly, 
while first sensation and cystometric bladder capacity increased. Both 
objectively and subjectively terodiline was significantly better than placebo 
with 50% (95% confidence limits 18-82) more patients improved on terodiline than 
on placebo. Thirty percent of the patients (95% confidence limits 12-54) 
relapsed after withdrawal of terodiline. At 3 months follow-up the remaining 70% 
were satisfied with the outcome of the training programme. Side effects were 
mild and reversible. Serum creatinine and alkaline phosphatase increased 
slightly on terodiline and the diastolic blood pressure was probably also 
increased by terodiline. In conclusion, female patients with idiopathic urge 
incontinence and stable detrusor function did respond to treatment as do female 
patients with urge incontinence and proven instability.