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Oxybutynin (Ditropan) 💊
💊 Oxybutynin is used for urge incontinence rather than stress incontinence. It can be trialled in short courses for urge or mixed stress/urge incontinence.
📖 About
Always check the BNF link here for up-to-date guidance.
- Antimuscarinic drug → reduces involuntary bladder contractions.
- One of the oldest agents in this class; higher CNS side-effect burden than newer alternatives (e.g. tolterodine, solifenacin).
⚙️ Mechanism of Action
- Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist.
- Relaxes detrusor muscle → increases bladder storage capacity.
- Reduces urgency, frequency, and urge leakage.
🎯 Indications
- Urinary frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence 🚻.
- May help in mixed stress/urge incontinence.
- Particularly useful when bladder overactivity is demonstrated.
💊 Dose
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan) 2.5–5 mg twice or three times daily.
- Maximum dose: 20 mg/day.
- Modified-release formulations available for once-daily dosing (may reduce side effects).
🔗 Interactions
- Avoid combining with other antimuscarinic agents (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines) → ↑ side effects.
- Caution with drugs prolonging the QT interval (risk additive).
⚠️ Cautions
- Myasthenia gravis (may worsen symptoms).
- Significant bladder outflow obstruction (risk of urinary retention 💧).
- Elderly: higher risk of confusion, delirium, cognitive decline 🧠.
⚠️ Side Effects
- Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision 👁️.
- Urinary retention 💧.
- Tachycardia, flushing, palpitations ❤️.
- Cognitive impairment, confusion, hallucinations (elderly especially).
- QT interval prolongation → arrhythmia risk.
📚 References
- BNF – Oxybutynin
- NICE CG171 – Urinary incontinence in women.
- Oxford Handbook of Urology.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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