6 replies to this topic

[Irenec]

Anyone know much about OXYBUTYNIN, side effect etc?

Has anyone been taking them for a long time?

For what reason were all of you prescribed OXYBUTYNIN?

How did it help you?

IRENEC

Edited by Irenec, 12 July 2006 - 11:08 AM.

[Apparelyzed]

Here's a fact sheet.

Drug Information: Oxybutynin

Why is this medication prescribed?

Oxybutynin is used to relieve urinary and bladder difficulties, including frequent urination and inability to control urination. It also helps to decrease muscle spasms of the bladder.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Oxybutynin comes as a tablet and a syrup. Oxybutynin usually is taken two or three times a day.

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take oxybutynin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

This medication usually is taken with water on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after or 1 hour before meals. However, your doctor may want you to take oxybutynin with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking oxybutynin,

* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxybutynin or any other drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially diuretics ('water pills'), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for high blood pressure, potassium supplements, and vitamins.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, kidney, or stomach disease; glaucoma; colitis; an enlarged prostate; intestinal disease or obstruction; an overactive thyroid gland; or myasthenia gravis.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking oxybutynin, call your doctor.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oxybutynin.
* you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
* remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
* plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Oxybutynin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from oxybutynin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* dry mouth
* sensitivity to bright light
* blurred vision
* dry eyes
* decreased sweating
* flushing
* upset stomach
* drowsiness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

* fever
* fast pulse
* heart palpitations
* restlessness
* seizures
* difficulty urinating
* hallucinations (especially in children)

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

[LadyPilot]

As one of the first people to be put on Oxybutynin in 1982, I have never experienced any problems while on it. I take three doses of 5mg a day at 8 hourly intervals (this the maximum dose). If I forget the 2pm dose I may be "wet" depending on how much Ive been drinking up 'til that point.

I certainly have not given up alcohol. I am fair skinned but it hasn't me more sun sensitive.

I can however say that an overdose is extremely unpleasant and not recommended. (I was tired and accidentlly ended up taking 6 tablets in an 8hour period.)

Oxybutynin has given me quality of life (I self cath) where I would otherwise have had to have a permanent self indwelling catheter and it's problems.

[lune14]

I just started taking Oxybutynin almost a week ago so I can't offer much feedback yet. However I did a month long trial of Detrol LA and it was amazing! I had zero side affects and no "accidents". I stopped taking it only because my samples ran out and my insurance insisted I use the Oxybutynin (which is the generic for Ditropan). The big annoying difference to me is that Detrol is time-released so it's just one pill a day whereas Oxybutynin is 2 a day (unless you're taking the max dose as LadyPilot described)

I feel better knowing you've had no side affects or difficulties LadyPilot as I don't know anyone else who's taken it. I'll have to pop round for a drinky with you hehe .... 3 oxy's and a chaser for us bartender!!

[SethBove]

I was on Generic Oxybutynin for a year doing 5mg twice a day (morning and night). Recently my doctor switched me over to Ditripan XL (Oxybutynin Chloride) as she said it would work much better (I took her word for it because she's getting pretty reknowned in the NY area as a specialist in neurogenic bladders). And indeed it has. Because the XL pills work over a period of hours, I notice much less dry-mouth and headaches that were associated with the faster onset of Generic Oxy. I'm on a 10mg twice a day routine with the Ditripan XL.

The doctor wrote out the script with a "DAW" on the bottom, meaning "Dispense as Written" for the pharmacy. She felt that the generic drugs were not up to par with the quality of the actuall Ditripan stuff. I didn't think there would be much of a difference, yet she was right. Costs a bit more at the pharmacy each time, but increasing my bladder capacity as much as it did makes it worth it.

I'd be weary of mixing this stuff with alcohol though. The combination will dehydrate you severely and give you a semi-migraine.

Message me if you have any other questions. See ya!

-Seth

[lune14]

Seth, thanks for the input. I have been round and round with different pharamcists and both my urologist and GP about the different effects the oxy vs ditropan. I really wanted to clarify the differences with the generic over the brand name and they all argue there's no difference. I don't know for sure yet if my body is transitioning from the "freedom" of the Detrol into the Oxybutynin or if the Oxy is just not working as well as the Detrol did. I'm giving it three more weeks to experiment. I haven't experienced headaches but a little dry mouth (none of which I felt while on Detrol) I just hope I don't experience any constipation with it!!

I am curious as to why you took it for a whole year before your doc considered Ditropan for you? Were you just gritting your teeth hoping things would be better each month? I don't have a year's worth of patience when it comes to bladder issues LOL... especially when I know there's another option.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[SethBove]

I took Oxy for a whole year because I was moving around the country and had lots of different doctors all telling me different things. I assumed Oxy was the best alternative for me at the time because of what I'd been told. It's hard to find consistent opinions, especially when the geographic area you're covering spans thousands of miles all in a couple years time. I'm happy with the Ditripan XL stuff I'm on now - though I suppose everyone reacts differently to any med. Less dry mouth, and more consistent bladder control. I think the time-release nature of the XL is helpful.

Good luck with your test-runs!

-Seth