Oxybutynin is a medicine indicated for the treatment of urinary incontinence and to alleviate symptoms associated with difficulties to urinate, since its action has a direct effect on the smooth musculature of the bladder, increasing its storage capacity. Its active ingredient is oxybutynin hydrochloride, which has a 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 1mg / ml and should be bought with a prescription from the main pharmacies. The price of Retemic usually varies between 25 and 50 reais, which depends on the place you sell, quantity and type of the medicine.
What is it for
Oxybutynin is indicated in the following cases:
- Treatment of urinary incontinence;
- Decreased urge to urinate;
- Treatment of neurogenic bladder or other bladder dysfunction;
- Decreased excess urinary volume at night;
- Nocturia (increased urine volume during the night) and incontinence in patients with neurogenic bladder (bladder dysfunction with loss of urine control due to changes in the nervous system);
- Aid for the treatment of symptoms of cystitis or prostatitis;
- Reduce urinary symptoms also of psychological origin and is useful in treating 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 pees in bed.
In addition, as one of the side effects of the action of Retemic is the reduction of sweat production, this medicine may be indicated during the treatment of people with hyperhidrosis, since it can act to lessen this nuisance.
How it works
Oxybutynin has an urinary antispasmodic effect, as it works by blocking the action on the nervous system of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which results in relaxation of the bladder muscles, avoiding episodes of sudden contraction and involuntary loss of urine.
Generally, the drug starts taking about 30 to 60 minutes after its use, 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 per day. The adult dose limit is 20 mg per day.
- 10 mg, in the form of an extended-release tablet, 1 or 2 times daily.
Children over 5 years of age
- 5 mg, 2 times per day. The dose limit for these children is 15 mg per day.
Possible side effects
Some of the major 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 ingredient or components of its formula, angle-closure glaucoma, partial or total obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, paralytic gut, megacolon, toxic megacolon, severe colitis and myasthenia gravis.
It should also not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 5 years of age.
