In Vitro: Carbachol-induced contractions of isolated guinea pig bladder were effectively inhibited by tolterodine (IC50 14 nM) and 5-HM (IC50 5.7 nM). The IC50 values were in the microM range and the antimuscarinic potency of tolterodine was 27, 200 and 370-485 times higher, respectively, than its potency in blocking histamine receptors, alpha-adrenoceptors and calcium channels. The active metabolite, 5-HM, was >900 times less potent at these sites than at bladder muscarinic receptors.
In Vivo: Tolterodine was extensively metabolized in vivo. In the passive-avoidance test, tolterodine at 1 or 3 mg/kg had no effect on memory; the latency to cross and percentage of animals crossing were comparable to controls. In contrast, scopolamine induced a memory deficit; the latency to cross was decreased, and the number of animals crossing was increased.