Oxybutynin
Drugs acting on the bladder
Anti-cholinergic agents
Oxybutynin, Tolterodine, Propiverine, Solifenacin, darifenacin, fesoterodine, flavoxate, trospium chloride Reduce involuntary bladder contractions with direct relaxant effect on the detrusor
Result in improvement in 57-71% of women with detrusor over-activity
Have significant placebo effect.
Side-effects, especially dry mouth appear to be less common with newer agents like tolterodine and solifenacin.
Oxybutynin - Side-effects include:
• Dry mouth (88%)
• Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort
• Blurred vision
• Voiding difficulties
• Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness and disorientation
• Rash, dry skin, photosensitivity
• Arrhythmia
• Angioedema
May precipitate angle closure glaucoma
Modified release preparation of oxybutynin has fewer side-effects and a trans-dermal patch is also available The efficacy and side-effects of tolterodine are similar to those of modified-release oxybutynin Flavoxate is less effective but has fewer side-effects
Contra-indications
• Myasthenia gravis
• Urinary retention / bladder outflow obstruction
• Severe ulcerative colitis, GI obstruction or intestinal atony