Senior Health Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Oxybutynin
Oxybutynin is a medicine that is used for the treatment of bladder conditions associated with nerve problems. Specifically, it can be used to treat frequent urination, painful urination, urinary urgency, and leaking accidents. Oxybutynin, which is available by prescription, comes in tablet and syrup form. Side effects that may occur with the medication include dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, and drowsiness.
Interested in a Discount on Oxybutynin?
Enter your email address to see if eMedTV's free DiscountRx service has a program that could help you save on your prescription(s).
Thank you!
Thank you for your interest in DiscountRx from eMedTV. An email has been sent to the address you provided. Please follow the link within that email to see what offers may be available.
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.)
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.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD