What is oxybutynin (oral)?
Oxybutynin reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.
Oxybutynin is used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent
urination, incontinence (urine leakage), and increased night-time urination.
Oxybutynin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking oxybutynin (oral)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to oxybutynin, or if you have:
-
untreated or uncontrolled glaucoma;
-
a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
or
-
if you are unable to urinate.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely take this medication. Before taking oxybutynin, tell your doctor if you have:
-
glaucoma;
-
liver disease;
-
kidney disease;
-
an enlarged prostate;
-
ulcerative colitis;
-
a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
-
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis; or
-
a stomach disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) or slow digestion.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether oxybutynin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take oxybutynin (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Oxybutynin may be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is
specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the
drug to be released at one time.
Measure the liquid form of oxybutynin with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Try to take this medication at the same time each day.
If you use the extended-release form of oxybutynin, you may notice what looks like part of a
tablet in your stools. The tablet shell is not designed to be absorbed by the body, and may therefore
pass into the stools without dissolving. This is a normal side effect of oxybutynin extended-release
tablets.
Store oxybutynin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of oxybutynin (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about oxybutynin (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about oxybutynin (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of oxybutynin (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using oxybutynin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
hot, dry skin and extreme thirst;
-
severe stomach pain or constipation;
-
pain or burning when you urinate; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dry mouth;
-
dry eyes, blurred vision;
-
mild constipation;
-
diarrhea;
-
nausea, mild stomach pain or upset;
-
dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
-
headache;
-
sleep problems; or
-
runny nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about oxybutynin (oral)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to oxybutynin, or if you have untreated
or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), or if
you are unable to urinate.
Before using oxybutynin, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, an
enlarged prostate, myasthenia gravis, ulcerative colitis, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a
stomach disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or slow digestion.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Oxybutynin can
decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
Oxybutynin can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
There are many other medicines that can interact with oxybutynin.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new
medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this
list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as hot and
dry skin, extreme thirst, severe stomach pain or constipation, pain or burning when you urinate, or if
you stop urinating.
What should I avoid while taking oxybutynin (oral)?
Oxybutynin can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. Be careful if you drive or do
anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Oxybutynin can
decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
What other drugs will affect oxybutynin (oral)?
The following drugs can interact with oxybutynin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
-
other bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin
(Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
-
glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
-
flecainide (Tambocor);
-
mepenzolate (Cantil);
-
thioridazine (Mellaril);
-
HIV /AIDS medicine such as nelfinavir (Viracept) or
ritonavir (Norvir);
-
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin
(E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or troleandomycin (Tao);
-
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox)
or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin),
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
-
bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or
tiotropium (Spiriva);
-
irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl),
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),
doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil),
and others.
This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with
oxybutynin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list
to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of oxybutynin (oral)?
