Oxytrol

Oxybutynin

Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Oxytrol

Oxytrol acts in two ways. Contraction of the smooth muscles of the bladder is stimulated by acetylcholine released by the nerves within the urinary bladder and attachment of it in the receptors present in the muscle cells of the bladder. This release of acetylcholine is prevented by Oxytrol and causes suppression of contraction of smooth muscles of the bladder. This is called an anti-cholinergic effect. Oxytrol can also directly relaxe the bladders outer layer of muscle known as the detrusor muscle.

Therapeutic Uses of Oxytrol

Oxytrol is used in the treatment of adults with symptoms of overactive bladders that like sudden urges to urinate (urinary urgency), urinary incontinence (the inability to control urination), and frequent urination. It also is used in the treatment of children, aged 6 years and older, with symptoms of detrusor muscle hyperactivity associated with neurological conditions (spina bifida).

Direction of use of Oxytrol

Use Oxytrol as per directions of your doctor. This medication comes with a patient information leaflet and you should read it carefully and follow it. Ask your doctor, nurse or other health care provider about the direction of use of Oxytrol, if you have any doubt. Do not open the pouch containing the intra-dermal patches until you are ready to apply them.

Follow the following instructions for application of intra-dermal patches:

• Clean and dry an area of skin on your stomach area or abdomen, buttocks or hips. Open the pouch containing intra-dermal patch and remove the protective liner from the patch to expose the adhesive. Apply the Oxytrol patch to the clean and dry area of abdomen. You should press the intra-dermal patch firmly so that the patch can stay on the surface of application.
• Apply one intra-dermal patch in an area and replace it in 3 to 4 days or twice a week (or as directed by your doctor). Try to replace the intra-dermal patches on the same 2 days of a week (to help you to remember and maintain uniformity) and every time you should apply the intra-dermal patch in a different skin surface (abdomen, buttocks or hips). Follow the regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a patch to the same area within 7 days to prevent irritation of skin. You should apply it to an area of skin that is under clothing and protected from sunlight. Avoid applying the Oxytrol patch on your waistline since tight clothing may rub the patch off, or on areas where sitting may loosen it.
• Never apply it on an irritated or oily skin or to areas where lotion, powder other cosmetics are applied. Contact with water when swimming, showering, bathing, or exercising will not affect the action of Oxytrol. But do not rub or disturb the patch during swimming, showering, bathing, or exercising.
• If the area around the patch becomes red, itchy, or irritated, use the patch on a new site. If irritation continues or becomes worse, inform your doctor immediately.
• If the Oxytrol intra-dermal patch falls off, reapply it or apply a new patch and wear it until the next patch is applied. When it is time to apply a new patch, remove the old one and dispose of it properly in the trash. Fold the sticky sides of the patch together and throw away where it cannot be accidentally worn by another person, especially a child.

If You Miss a Dose of Oxytrol

If you forget to remove the older intra-dermal patch the day it is due and place a new intra-dermal patch, you should do it as soon as you remember and continue doing it as long as required in a regular schedule. Do not apply 2 intra-dermal patches to catch up for the missed one.

How to Store Oxytrol

Store this medicine (intra-dermal patches) at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the original sealed pouch, away from heat, moisture and light. The intra-dermal patches can be stored at 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) for a brief period without any harm. Keep the intra-dermal patches out of reach of children.

More Information About Oxytrol

If you have any question about Oxytrol you should ask your doctor or other health care providers. Do not share Oxytrol with others and it should be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed. If there is no improvement in your symptoms or they become more severe you should consult your doctor.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Oxytrol

• Use of Oxytrol in children under age 5 is not recommended. Use caution if you need to apply this medication to children above 5 years of age as they may be more sensitive to this medicine.
• Oxytrol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that need constant attention and monitoring while using this medicine, until you know how you react to this medicine. Using Oxytrol alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks and you should avoid alcohol and other medication that may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
• Oxytrol can cause decreased sweating. Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities because heat stroke may occur while you are taking this medication and ideally avoid activities that are strenuous.
• For woman, pregnancy and lactation: If you are pregnant you should not use Oxytrol. If you plan to become pregnant, you need to discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Oxytrol during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medicine is secreted in breast milk. If you are breast feeding or will be breast feeding while you are using this medicine, consult with your doctor or other health care provider to discuss the risks to your baby.
• Use Oxytrol with caution in the elderly patients as they are more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.
• Before you start taking any new medicine, either prescription or over the counter (OTC) or non prescription medicine, consult with your doctor or other health care provider.

Possible Adverse Effects of Oxytrol

• Anti-cholinergic side effects like dry mouth, constipation, confusion, blurring of vision, urinary retention (the inability to pass urine) and an increased heart rate (palpitations) can be more if Oxytrol is taken along with other drugs with anti-cholinergic effects. Drugs with anti-cholinergic effects are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), disopyramide (Norpace), scopolamine (Trans-Scop), benztropine (Cogentin), thioridazine (Mellaril), and amitriptyline (Elavil) etc.
• Minor side effects usually go away during treatment with Oxytrol. Minor side effects are nausea, headache, skin redness, itching, or irritation at the application site, dry mouth (to relieve dry mouth, suck on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chew sugarless gum, drink water, or use saliva substitute), drowsiness, dizziness, blurring of vision, constipation etc. If these minor side effects continue or become bothersome, consult with your doctor.
• Consult with your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects like weakness, vision problems, or symptoms of urinary infection manifested by urinary burning, frequent urination etc.
• Consult with your doctor immediately if you experience any unlikely but serious side effects, like eye pain, difficulty in urination, severe stomach pain, chest pain, fast and/or irregular heartbeat, fever, mental or mood changes, flushing hot skin, dry skin etc.
• An allergic reaction to Oxytrol is unlikely. But seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing etc.