Uricon

Indications

Oxybutynin Hydrochloride is used to treat overactive bladder, with symptoms such as a sudden urge to pass urine, passing urine often, and leaking urine (urge incontinence). It is also used for bladder spasms and for bladder problems caused by nerve conditions (neurogenic bladder), and for bedwetting in older children under a doctor's care.

How It Works

Oxybutynin is an antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) medicine with a direct relaxing effect on smooth muscle. It blocks acetylcholine on the bladder muscle, so the bladder relaxes, holds more urine and contracts less suddenly.

Dosage and Administration

Adults (immediate-release tablets): usually 5 mg two or three times a day. The maximum is 5 mg four times a day (20 mg a day). Older people may start with 2.5 mg twice a day. Extended-release tablets are usually 5 mg to 10 mg once a day, swallowed whole, and the doctor may increase this if needed. It can be taken with or without food. Children: as prescribed by a doctor.

Interactions

Other anticholinergic medicines (such as Tricyclic antidepressants, Phenothiazines, some antihistamines, Amantadine and Tolterodine) increase side effects like dry mouth, constipation and confusion. It can reduce the effect of Metoclopramide and Domperidone. Ketoconazole, Itraconazole and Erythromycin may raise its levels. Alcohol and sedatives add to drowsiness.

Contraindications

• Allergy to Oxybutynin.
• Untreated narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Urinary retention or bladder outflow blockage.
• Bowel blockage, severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon, or a stomach that empties very slowly.
• Myasthenia gravis.

Side Effects

The most common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dry eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea and indigestion. Reduced sweating and difficulty passing urine can occur.

Get urgent medical help if you cannot pass urine, have eye pain with blurred vision, confusion or hallucinations, a fast or irregular heartbeat, overheating with fever, or signs of allergy such as swelling of the face or throat and difficulty breathing.

Pregnancy and Lactation

There is limited information in pregnancy; use only if a doctor considers it clearly needed. Small amounts may pass into breast milk and it may reduce milk supply, so it is not usually recommended while breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

Use with care in older people (more prone to confusion and memory problems), and in those with liver or kidney disease, an enlarged prostate, reflux disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid or Parkinson's disease. It reduces sweating, so avoid overheating in hot weather. It can cause drowsiness and blurred vision, so take care when driving and avoid alcohol.

Overdose

Overdose may cause restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, flushing, fever, fast heartbeat, very dry mouth, inability to pass urine and breathing problems. Seek emergency medical help immediately and take the pack with you.

Therapeutic Class

Urinary antispasmodic; antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) agent.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.