Oxybutynin Topical Gel

Name: Oxybutynin Topical Gel

Highlights for oxybutynin

Oxybutynin is used to treat overactive bladder.

Oxybutynin comes as an immediate-release tablet, extended-release tablet, and syrup you take by mouth. It also comes as a gel and patch you apply to your skin.

The gel is available as the brand-name drug Gelnique. It isn’t available as a generic drug.

This drug may cause you to be unable to empty your bladder if you have bladder outlet obstruction. Tell your doctor right away if you’re unable to empty your bladder.

Common side effects include blurry vision, urination problems, dry mouth, and constipation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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What is oxybutynin?

Oxybutynin is a prescription drug. It is available in these forms: immediate-release tablet, extended-release tablet, oral syrup, topical gel, and topical patch.

The gel isn’t available as a generic drug. It’s only available as the brand-name drug Gelnique.

Oxybutynin may be used as part of a combination therapy.  That means you need to take it with other drugs.

Why it's used

Oxybutynin is used to treat overactive bladder with the following symptoms:

  • urinating more often than usual
  • feeling like you need to urinate more often
  • urinary leakage
  • painful urination
  • sudden urge to urinate that makes you unable to hold your urine

How it works

Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs called anticholinergics/antimuscarinics. A class of drugs refers to medications that work similarly. They have a similar chemical structure and are often used to treat similar conditions.

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Oxybutynin Side Effects

More Common Side Effects

The more common side effects that occur with oxybutynin include:

  • being unable to urinate

  • constipation

  • dry mouth

  • blurry vision

  • dizziness

  • drowsiness

  • sweating less than usual. This may increase your risk of overheating, having a fever, or getting heat stroke if you’re in warm or hot temperatures.

  • insomnia

  • headache

  • skin reaction. Symptoms include:

    • redness, rash, itching, and pain at the application site

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

If you experience any of these serious side effects, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are potentially life-threatening or if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

  • skin problems that don’t go away or bother you. Symptoms include:

    • itching
    • skin rash
    • redness
  • not being able empty your bladder

  • swelling around your eyes, lips, genitals, hands, or feet

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Oxybutynin May Interact with Other Medications

This drug can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. That’s why your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. If you’re curious about how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: You can reduce your chances of drug interactions by having all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. That way, a pharmacist can check for possible drug interactions.

Alcohol interaction

You shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking oxybutynin. Alcohol can increase your chance of serious side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. Alcohol can also aggravate your overactive bladder symptoms.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Depression drugs

Oxybutynin may affect how these drugs are absorbed by your body. Taking these drugs with oxybutynin may also increase your risk of side effects.

These drugs include:

  • amitriptyline
  • nortriptyline
Allergy drugs

Oxybutynin may affect how these drugs are absorbed by your body. Taking these drugs with oxybutynin may also increase your risk of side effects.

These drugs include:

  • chlorpheniramine
  • diphenhydramine
Psychosis and schizophrenia drugs

Oxybutynin may affect how these drugs are absorbed by your body. Taking these drugs with oxybutynin may also increase your risk of side effects.

These drugs include:

  • chlorpromazine
  • thioridazine
Antifungal drugs

Certain antifungal drugs will increase the level of oxybutynin in your body. This will raise your risk of side effects.

These drugs include:

  • ketoconazole
  • itraconazole
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Oxybutynin warnings

People with bladder outlet obstruction

Oxybutynin may increase your chances of not being able to empty your bladder if you have bladder outlet obstruction.

People with stomach problems

Oxybutynin may cause more stomach problems if you have a history of ulcerative colitis, stomach pain, or reflux. 

People with myasthenia gravis

Oxybutynin may make symptoms worse if you have myasthenia gravis.

Pregnant women

Oxybutynin is a pregnancy category B drug. That means two things:

  1. Research in animals has not shown a risk to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
  2. There aren’t enough studies done in humans to show if the drug poses a risk to the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Animal studies do not always predict the way humans would respond. Therefore, this drug should only be used in pregnancy if clearly needed.

Women who are breast-feeding

It isn’t known if oxybutynin passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breast-fed.

Talk to your doctor if you breast-feed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breast-feeding or stop taking this medication.

For children

The safety and effectiveness of oxybutynin gel in people younger than 18 years haven’t been established.

Contact with drug

Oxybutynin can transfer to another person if they touch the site on your skin where you applied the drug. You should cover the site with clothing after the gel has dried. This will keep the drug from transferring to another person.

Allergies

Oxybutynin may cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue
  • hives
  • severe skin reactions

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it before. Taking it a second time after an allergic reaction could be fatal.

How to Take oxybutynin (Dosage)

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Overactive bladder

Brand: Gelnique

Form: Topical gel Strengths: 10% Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)
  • 10% gel
    • 1 packet once per day
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

The safety and effectiveness of oxybutynin gel in children haven’t been established.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking oxybutynin

Store this drug carefully

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A prescription for this medication is refillable

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Travel

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Self-management

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Your diet

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Not every pharmacy stocks this drug, so call ahead

Insurance

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Are there any alternatives?

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