DITROPAN (OXYBUTYNIN)

Description of Ditropan

Ditropan is an antispasmodic drug prescribed for people with an over-active bladder. Over-active bladder (OAB) can result from a sudden, involuntary contraction of the detrusor muscle found in the wall of your bladder. This can cause frequent trips to the washroom, an urgent need to pass urine, or an involuntary leakage.

Over-active bladder may have no known cause or it may a result of problems with the nerve supply to the bladder. This could be a result of a spinal cord injury or as a result of a medical condition which may affect the nervous system, such as spina bifida or multiple sclerosis.

How Does Ditropan Help?

When you take Ditropan or Oxybutynin generic as directed, a certain neurotransmitter called acetylcholine is blocked in order to suppress the involuntary contractions of your bladder’s smooth muscle while also relaxing the detrusor muscle. This provides relief from frequent trips to the bathroom with the urge to urinate whether your bladder is full or not. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Nighttime Help with Ditropan

If you have found no success with other medications or therapies to stop bedwetting episodes during the night in anyone five years and older, your doctor may recommend a prescription for Ditropan. This condition is called nocturnal enuresis. Usually, nerves in the bladder wall will send a message to the brain to say ” bladder is full!” to which the brain then sends a message to your bladder to “hold on” until the person gets to a bathroom. However, for some people the message to hold on doesn’t work. The reasons for this are believed to be sleeping too deeply, certain medical conditions, bladder or hormonal problems, or genetics.

Before You Take Ditropan

Ask your doctor about any risks with taking Ditropan while you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Explain other medical conditions or allergies you have to your doctor and list all current OTC and Rx medications you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements to determine if Ditropan is safe for you. If you have any inflammatory bowel conditions or ulcerative colitis, tell your doctor as you may have to take a different medicine.

Precautions for Ditropan

Until you know how Ditropan will affect you, do not drive, operate machinery, or attempt any task considered unsafe if you are not alert. You may be more susceptible to overheating as Ditropan can decrease your body’s ability to sweat. Keep Ditropan and all other meds out of children’s reach and never share these with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Ditropan

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Constipation
• Dry mouth or skin