A 65-year-old male presents with constipation and dry mouth. His current medications include atenolol for hypertension, sertraline for depression, and oxybutynin for overactive bladder. What could be the cause of his symptoms, and what are the next steps?
His symptoms may be side effects of his current medications. Both sertraline, an SSRI, and oxybutynin, an anticholinergic, can cause dry mouth and constipation. It would be worthwhile to consider other medications for his overactive bladder that might have fewer anticholinergic side effects, such as a beta-3 agonist. A referral to a dietician may also help him to manage constipation with dietary modifications.