Oxybutynin

Oxybutynin is used to treat overactive bladder (a condition in which the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably and cause frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and inability to control urination) in certain adults and children. Oxybutynin is also used as an extended-release tablet to control bladder muscles in adults and children 6 years of age and older with spina bifida (a disability that occurs when the spinal cord does not close properly before birth), or other nervous system conditions that affect the bladder muscles. Oxybutynin is in a class of medications called anticholinergics/antimuscarinics. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Oxybutynin comes as a tablet, a syrup, and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The tablets and syrup are usually taken two to four times a day. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take oxybutynin at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take oxybutynin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole with plenty of water or other liquid. Do not split, chew, or crush the extended-release tablets. Tell your doctor if you or your child cannot swallow tablets.

Use a dose-measuring spoon or cup to measure the correct amount of liquid for each dose, not a household spoon.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of oxybutynin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week.

Oxybutynin may control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to take oxybutynin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking oxybutynin without talking to your doctor.

Americans see their primary care doctors less often than they did a decade ago. Adults under 65 made nearly 25% fewer visits to primary care providers in 2016 than they did in 2018, according to National Public Radio. In the same time period, the number of adults who went at least a year without visiting a primary care provider increased from 38% to 46%.

You may notice some improvement in your symptoms within the first 2 weeks of your treatment. However, it may take 6–8 weeks to experience the full benefit of oxybutynin. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve at all within 8 weeks.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking oxybutynin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxybutynin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in oxybutynin tablets, extended-release tablets, or syrup. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), and tetracycline (Bristamycin, Sumycin, Tetrex); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox),miconazole (Monistat), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cimetidine (Tagamet); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); fluvoxamine; ipratropium (Atrovent); iron supplements; certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; medications for osteoporosis (a condition in which bones are weak, fragile, and can break easily) such as alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel); nefazodone; potassium supplements; quinidine; and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had narrow angle glaucoma (a serious eye condition that may cause vision loss), any condition that stops your bladder from emptying completely, or any condition that causes your stomach to empty slowly or incompletely. Your doctor may tell you not to take oxybutynin.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum); gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; condition in which the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus and cause pain and heartburn); hiatal hernia (condition in which a portion of the wall of the stomach bulges outward, and may cause pain and heartburn); hyperthyroidism (condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone in the body); myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness); Parkinson’s disease; dementia; fast or irregular heartbeat; high blood pressure; benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, enlargement of the prostate, a male reproductive organ); or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking oxybutynin, call your doctor.
• talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking oxybutynin tablets or syrup if you are 65 year of age or older. Older adults should not usually take oxybutynin tablets or syrup because they are not as safe and may not be as effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oxybutynin.
• you should know that this medication may make you drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can make the side effects from oxybutynin worse.
• you should know that oxybutynin may make it harder for your body to cool down when it gets very hot. Avoid exposure to extreme heat, and call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment if you have fever or other signs of heat stroke such as dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion, and fast pulse after you are exposed to heat.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.