OXYBUTYNIN

Brand & Generic Names

Ditropan

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antispasmodic (urinary tract)

Uses

Reduces spasms of urinary bladder and urethra that cause symptoms of frequent urination, urgency, night-time urination and incontinence.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets or syrup: Swallow with water.

When to take:
At the same time every day. Do not take with food unless instructed to do so by doctor.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose. Don't double this dose.

What drug does:
Blocks nerve impulses at parasympathetic nerve endings, preventing muscle contractions and gland secretions of organs involved.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes to 1 hour.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Unsteadiness, confusion, dizziness, severe drowsiness, fast heartbeat, fever, red face, hallucinations, difficult breathing.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section above.

Common:

Constipation, decreased sweating; drowsiness; dryness of mouth, nose and throat.

Infrequent:

Difficulty swallowing, decreased sexual ability, headache, difficult urination, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tiredness.

Rare:

Skin rash, eye pain, D blurred vision.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any anticholinergic.
• You have trouble with stomach bloating.
• You have difficulty emptying your bladder completely.
• You have narrow-angle glaucoma.
• You have severe ulcerative colitis.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have open-angle glaucoma.
• If you have angina or fast heartbeat.
• If you have chronic bronchitis or asthma.
• If you have hiatal hernia; liver, kidney or thyroid disease; enlarged prostate or myasthenia gravis.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may require smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child, but avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effect. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children under 5.

Prolonged use:
Side effects more likely.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticholinergics*	Increased effect of oxybutynin.
Central nervous system	Increased sedative effect.
Cisapride	Decreased effect of oxybutynin.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedative effect.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Excessively rapid heartbeat.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Drowsiness and dry mouth.
Tobacco:	None expected.