Ditropan (Oxybutynin)

General information

Ditropan belongs to the family of medications called anticholinergics. It is also an antispasmodic. It is used to treat bladder problems caused by nerve problems (known medically as neurogenic bladder) such as painful urination (dysuria), frequent urination (urinary frequency), sudden, frequent urges to urinate (urinary urgency), leaking accidents (urinary incontinence or urge incontinence). Ditropan is also approved to treat bladder problems due to overactive bladder muscles (caused by spina bifida or other neurological problems) in children age six and older.

Directions

Take Ditropan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended starting dose for bladder problems in adults is 5 mg two to three times daily. If necessary, your doctor may increase your dose up to 5 mg four times daily to control your bladder symptoms. This medication may be taken with or without food. Swallow this medication whole with water or other liquids. Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets. A lower starting dose (2.5 mg two to three times daily) is often recommended for the elderly, who may be more sensitive to side effects. The recommended starting dose for bladder problems in children age five years and over is 5 mg twice daily. If necessary, your child's doctor may increase the dose up to 5 mg three times daily.

Precautions

Before taking Ditropan you should talk with your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease, cirrhosis, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, high blood pressure (hypertension), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), enlarged prostate, ulcerative colitis, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), hernia. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Do not take Ditropan if you are allergic to oxybutynin or to any of the ingredients of the medication, have acute blood loss, urinary retention, intestinal atony, myasthenia gravis, megacolon, paralytic ileus, obstructive uropathy.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have dry mouth, constipation, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, blurred vision, dizziness, heartburn, bladder infection. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: protease inhibitors (atazanavir, ritonavir, indinavir), antifungal or antibiotic medications (ketoconazole, isoniazid, itraconazole, erythromycin), pramlintide, anticholinergic medications (dicyclomine, clozapine, trospium, ipratropium), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, galantamine, donepezil). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are increased pressure within the eyes, severe constipation, difficulty passing urine, dry skin, dry mouth, difficulty breathing, dehydration, shakiness, memory loss, vomiting, fever, confusion, irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure (hypertension).

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.