Oxybutynin

Oxybutynin Chloride for Overactive Bladder

What Is Oxybutynin?

Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan^®) is a prescription medication used to treat bladder problems caused by nerve problems (known medically as neurogenic bladder). In particular, the drug is approved to treat the following neurogenic bladder symptoms:

Painful urination (known as dysuria)
Frequent urination (known as urinary frequency)
Sudden, frequent urges to urinate (known as urinary urgency)
Leaking accidents (known as urinary incontinence or urge incontinence).

It is also approved to treat bladder problems due to overactive bladder muscles caused by spina bifida or other neurological problems in children age six and older.

(Click What Is Oxybutynin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Side Effects of Oxybutynin

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with oxybutynin. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Common side effects include but are not limited to:

Dry mouth (see Ditropan and Dry Mouth)
Dizziness
Constipation (see Ditropan and Constipation)
Drowsiness
Difficulty passing urine.

(Click Oxybutynin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking oxybutynin if you have:

Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
Glaucoma
Digestive problems (especially problems that cause a slowing of food through the digestive tract)
Myasthenia gravis
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Heart disease
An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Ulcerative colitis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Difficulty passing urine
An enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Ditropan and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see Ditropan and Breastfeeding).

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Precautions and Warnings With Oxybutynin to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

How Does Oxybutynin Work?

Oxybutynin belongs to a group of drugs known as antimuscarinic or anticholinergic medications. It works to treat bladder problems by blocking specific receptors in the bladder, called muscarinic receptors, which helps the muscles of the bladder to relax. Since an overactive bladder is often due to muscle contractions that are too frequent and uncontrollable, oxybutynin can help relieve many associated symptoms.

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take oxybutynin include the following:

The medication comes in tablet and syrup form. It is usually taken by mouth two to four times daily.
The syrup form may be especially useful for children or adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets.
You can take oxybutynin with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
Oxybutynin should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Oxybutynin will not work if you stop taking it.

Dosing Information

The dose of oxybutynin your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

How you respond to the drug
Your age
Other medications you may be taking
Other medical conditions you may have.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Oxybutynin Dosing for more information.)

Drug Interactions

Oxybutynin may interact with a number of other medications (see Oxybutynin Drug Interactions).

What If I Take an Overdose?

An overdose of oxybutynin would likely cause the usual side effects, but perhaps more severely. In some cases, the symptoms may be quite dangerous.

If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.

(Click Ditropan Overdose for more information.)

How Should Oxybutynin Be Stored?

Oxybutynin should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. The tablets should be stored in an airtight container.

Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your oxybutynin as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Who Makes Oxybutynin?

Oxybutynin is made by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. Generic oxybutynin is made by a few different manufacturers.

Available Strengths

Oxybutynin comes in the following strengths and forms:

Oxybutynin 5 mg tablets
Oxybutynin syrup, which contains 5 mg of medication per 5 mL (per teaspoonful).

Is There a Generic Version of Oxybutynin?

Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of oxybutynin are licensed for sale (see Generic Ditropan).