oxybutynin hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Antimuscarinic, also described as an anticholinergic urinary antispasmodic.
Main role
Reduces urgency, frequent urination and urge incontinence associated with an overactive or unstable bladder.
Available forms
Selected products include standard tablets, prolonged-release tablets, oral solutions and an intravesical solution administered into the bladder.
Driving
Do not drive or operate machinery if it causes sleepiness, dizziness, blurred vision or impaired concentration.
What is oxybutynin hydrochloride used for?
Licensed uses vary by formulation and age.
Oral products: symptomatic treatment of urinary urgency, frequency and urge incontinence associated with an unstable, idiopathic overactive or neurogenic bladder.
In children above the product-specific minimum age: urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency caused by idiopathic or neurogenic detrusor overactivity.
Selected oral products: nocturnal enuresis associated with detrusor overactivity, alongside non-drug measures when other treatment has failed.
Intravesical solution: suppression of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in adults and children from 6 years who use clean intermittent catheterisation and have not been adequately managed with oral anticholinergics.
How does oxybutynin hydrochloride work?
Oxybutynin competitively blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and also has a direct antispasmodic action on smooth muscle. This relaxes the detrusor muscle, increases the volume the bladder can hold and reduces involuntary contractions, urgency and leakage.
oxybutynin hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg/5 mL, 5 mg/5 mL
How to take oxybutynin hydrochloride
Follow the directions for the prescribed formulation.
Swallow standard tablets with water.
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole; do not chew, divide or crush them. Their empty membrane may appear in the stool without affecting treatment.
Oral formulations may generally be taken with or without food.
Measure oral solution using the device supplied with that product, not a kitchen teaspoon.
Intravesical oxybutynin is introduced into the bladder through a catheter under a specialist, individually determined plan.
oxybutynin hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness or sleepiness
- Blurred vision or dry eyes
Get urgent medical advice
- Inability to pass urine or worsening urinary retention
- Sudden eye pain or reduced vision, which may indicate angle-closure glaucoma
- Overheating with reduced sweating
- Severe constipation or symptoms of bowel pseudo-obstruction
- Marked confusion, agitation or hallucinations
- Severe allergic reaction
oxybutynin hydrochloride in pregnancy
Oxybutynin is not routinely recommended during pregnancy because human safety information is limited. It is occasionally considered when bladder symptoms are severe and cannot be controlled in another way, following an individual prescriber or specialist assessment.
oxybutynin hydrochloride while breastfeeding
UK specialist guidance identifies oxybutynin as a preferred option for urinary disorders while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant, although direct evidence is limited and selected product information is more cautious. Discuss treatment with the prescriber, particularly for a premature or unwell infant, and monitor for poor feeding, inadequate weight gain, unusual sleepiness or irritability, constipation and fewer wet nappies. Anticholinergic effects could theoretically reduce milk production.
oxybutynin hydrochloride interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products because additive anticholinergic effects are common.
Other anticholinergic medicines
Antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, some antipsychotics and medicines for Parkinson’s disease, bowel disorders or bladder symptoms can increase dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision and confusion.
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and similar medicines may have reduced effects because their action opposes oxybutynin.
Common questions about oxybutynin hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How long does oxybutynin hydrochloride take to work?
Its bladder-relaxing action begins within hours, but full symptom improvement may take several weeks. Speak to the prescriber if symptoms worsen or do not begin to improve.
Can oxybutynin hydrochloride be taken with food?
Oral oxybutynin can generally be taken with or without food. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact product.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.