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Oxybutynin

 

Oxybutynin (generic Ditropan) Review

brand name: Ditropan
generic names: Oxybutynin chloride, Oxybutynin hydrochloride, Oxybutynin

How does it work?

Lyrinel XL tablets contain the active ingredient oxybutynin hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an anticholinergic (or antimuscarinic) muscle relaxant. It works by relaxing the involuntary muscle that is found in the wall of the bladder.

The muscle in the wall of the bladder is called the detrusor muscle. It can sometimes contract in uncontrollable spasms, and this is often referred to as having an overactive or unstable bladder. The overactive detrusor muscle can cause an increase in the number of times you need to pass urine, uncontrollable urges to pass urine, or involuntary leakage of urine (urinary incontinence).

Oxybutynin works by relaxing the detrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder. It does this by blocking receptors called cholinergic (or muscarinic) receptors that are found on the surface of the muscle cells. This prevents a natural body chemical called acetylcholine from acting on these receptors.

Normally when acetylcholine acts on these receptors, it causes the detrusor muscle to contract and the bladder to empty. By blocking acetylcholine, oxybutynin helps the muscle in the bladder wall to relax. This reduces unstable, involuntary contractions of the bladder, and thereby increases the capacity of the bladder to hold urine. In turn, this reduces the need to pass urine.

Oxybutynin is used to treat urinary frequency, urinary urgency and incontinence in people with unstable bladders. The condition may have no known cause (idiopathic bladder instability), or may be due to problems with the nerve supply to the bladder (neurogenic bladder), for example following a spinal cord injury, or as a result of conditions affecting the nervous system such as spina bifida or multiple sclerosis.

Lyrinel XL tablets are known as prolonged release tablets. They are designed to release the medicine slowly over the day as the tablet passes through the gut. This means the tablets only need to be taken once a day. The tablets should be swallowed whole with liquid and not broken, chewed or crushed, as this would stop their prolonged release action from working.

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Ditropan.

• Side effects may include:
  Constipation, suppression of milk production, restlessness, rash, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, nausea, inability to urinate, impotence, hallucinations, eye paralysis, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, dim vision, dilation of the pupil of the eye, difficulty falling or staying asleep, decreased sweating, decreased production of tears, weakness

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an Oxybutynin (Ditropan) overdose may include restlessness, vomiting, uneven heart rate, fever, tingly feeling, and urinating less than usual or not at all.

What side effects may I notice from taking Oxybutynin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•confusion, itching

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•blurred vision
•constipation
•decreased sweating
•dizziness, nervousness
•difficulty breathing
•eye pain
•fever
•flushing (reddening of the skin)
•memory loss
•palpitations
•skin rash (hives), drowsiness
•dry mouth
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•sexual difficulties (impotence)

Not to be used in

• Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Lyrinel XL tablets contain lactose).
  
  
• Breastfeeding
  
  
• Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias
  
  
• Sudden expansion of the large intestine seen in advanced ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (toxic megacolon)
  
  
• Severe inflammation of the bowel and back passage (ulcerative colitis)
  
  
• Paralysis or inactivity in the intestines that prevents material moving through the gut (intestinal atony or paralytic ileus)
  
  
• Blockage of the stomach or intestines (gastrointestinal obstruction)
  
  
• Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
  
  
• Closed angle glaucoma
  
  
• Inability to pass urine (urinary retention)
  
  
• Urinary frequency and excessive need to pass urine at night as a result of heart failure or kidney failure
  
  
• Children under six years of age
  
  

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Most important fact about Ditropan

Ditropan can cause heat prostration (fever and heat stroke due to decreased sweating) in high temperatures. If you live in a hot climate or will be exposed to high temperatures, take appropriate precautions.