Oxybutynin is a drug indicated for the treatment of urinary incontinence and to relieve symptoms associated with difficulties to urinate, as its action has a direct effect on the smooth muscles of the bladder, increasing its storage capacity. Its active ingredient is oxybutynin hydrochloride, which has an urinary antispasmodic effect, and is known commercially as Retemic.
This medicine is for oral use, and is available as a tablet in doses of 5 and 10 mg, or as syrup in a dose of 1 mg / ml, and must be purchased with a prescription at the main pharmacies. The price of Retemic usually varies between 25 and 50 reais, which depends on the place it sells, quantity and type of medicine.
What is it for
Oxybutynin is indicated in the following cases:
- Treatment of urinary incontinence; Decreased urgency to urinate; Treatment of neurogenic bladder or other bladder dysfunctions; Decreased excess nighttime urinary volume; Nocturia (increased urine volume during the night) and incontinence in patients with neurogenic bladder (dysfunction of the urine) bladder with loss of urine control due to changes in the nervous system); Aid in the treatment of symptoms of cystitis or prostatitis; Reduce urinary symptoms also of psychological origin and is useful in the treatment of children, over 5 years, who urinate in bed at night, when indicated by the pediatrician. Understand the causes and when it is necessary to treat the child who wet the bed.
In addition, as one of the side effects of Retemic's action is the decrease in sweat production, this medication can be indicated during the treatment of people with hyperhidrosis, as it can act to reduce this discomfort.
How it works
Oxybutynin has an urinary antispasmodic effect, as it works by blocking the action in the nervous system of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which results in relaxation of the bladder muscles, preventing episodes of sudden contraction and involuntary loss of urine.
Generally, the onset of action of the drug takes between 30 to 60 minutes after its consumption, and its effect usually lasts between 6 and 10 hours.
How to take
Oxybutynin is used orally, in the form of a tablet or syrup, as follows:
Adults
- 5 mg, 2 or 3 times a day. The dose limit for adults is 20 mg per day. 10 mg, in the form of a prolonged-release tablet, 1 or 2 times a day.
Children over 5 years old
- 5 mg twice a day. The dose limit for these children is 15 mg per day.
Possible side effects
Some of the main side effects that can be caused by the use of oxybutynin are drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, reduced sweat production, headache, blurred vision, constipation, nausea.
Who should not use
Oxybutynin is contraindicated in cases of people with allergies to the active principle or to the components of its formula, closed-angle glaucoma, partial or total obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, paralytic intestine, megacolon, toxic megacolon, severe colitis and severe myasthenia.
It should also not be used by pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under 5 years.
