Oxybutynin

When should one not use Oxybutynin

• If you are allergic to oxybutynin or any of the other ingredients of Oxybutynin.
• If you have a condition called muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis) and increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma).
• If you have a problem in your heart and kidney (responsible for frequent urination at night).
• If you feel that your stomach or intestine is not working properly.
• If you are suffering from inflammation in the intestine (ulcerative colitis).

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry skin
• Difficulty in urination

Other General Warnings

• You are an elderly person or you are giving this medicine to a child, this medicine should be used with caution.
• You have a kidney or liver problem.
• You are suffering from an illness called autonomic neuropathy (affecting the nerves).
• You have a history of an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), heart disorder.
• You are suffering from high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate gland.
• You have a stomach/intestinal disorder, such patients should use this medicine carefully.
• You feel heart problems like irregular or fast heartbeat, heart failure, high blood pressure or enlarged bladder (prostate) problems.
• You experience any mental disorders like hallucination, sleepiness, confusion, aggression. The doctor should stop the treatment immediately.
• It may reduce the amount of saliva production which can lead to tooth decay or fungal infection of the mouth. So the doctor may advise taking special care in your oral hygiene.
• You may develop a risk for heat prostration due to decreased sweating if used in high-temperature conditions.
• You have an indigestion problem and you are simultaneously taking medicines like bisphosphonates that can cause or worsen oesophagitis (swelling in food pipe).

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Oxybutynin may interact with other medicines and produce an altered response. Please tell your doctor if you are using any other medicines, over-the-counter medicines (that you buy without a prescription) and herbal preparations.
• Few medicines which may affect the activity of Oxybutynin are Amantadine, Levodopa, Biperiden to treat Parkinson's disease, Phenothiazines, Butyrophenones, Clozapine to treat brain disorders, Quinidine, Digoxin to treat heart problems, Dipyridamole to treat blood clotting problems.
• Concomitant use of antibiotics like Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Erythromycin to treat bacterial and fungal infections can inhibit the action of this medicine.
• It can oppose the effect of Metoclopramide or Domperidone to treat nausea and vomiting.
• Other medicines that should be used with caution are atropine and cholinesterase inhibitors to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Overdose

Missed a Dose

• If you have missed any dose of Oxybutynin take it as soon as you remember.
• If it's time for your next dose then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.