Oxytrol (Oxybutynin)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name

Oxybutynin

Drug Class

Anticholinergic medication

Used For

Treatment of overactive bladder

How Taken

Transdermal patch applied twice weekly (every 3-4 days)

What Is Oxytrol Used For?

Oxytrol is a transdermal patch that delivers oxybutynin through your skin to treat overactive bladder symptoms.

Primary Uses

Oxytrol is used to treat overactive bladder, which makes it hard to control when you urinate. It helps with increased frequency of urination, urgent need to urinate, and accidental urine loss (leaking or wetting oneself).

How It Works

The active ingredient oxybutynin is dissolved in the adhesive layer of the patch and delivers medicine slowly and constantly through your skin into your bloodstream for the 3-4 days you wear the patch.

Good to know: This medicine is not addictive and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

How to Take Oxytrol

Oxytrol patches should be applied according to a regular schedule and proper technique for best results.

Dosage Instructions

Apply one new patch twice a week (every 3-4 days) as directed by your doctor. Wear only one patch at a time. Try to change the patch on the same two days each week. Apply to clean, dry, smooth skin on your abdomen, hips, or buttocks. Avoid waistline area and rotate application sites. Each patch contains 36mg oxybutynin and delivers approximately 3.9mg per day.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you forget to change your patch after 3-4 days, remove the old patch, put on a new patch in a different area, and continue to follow your original application schedule.

Important: Always apply the patch immediately after opening the protective pouch. Do not store patches outside the sealed pouch.

Available Tablet Strengths

3.9mg/day

3.9mg/day Tablet Slightly opaque, Rectangular • OXYTROL 3.9 mg/day

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

Skin irritation including rash or slight redness and itching where patch was applied
Constipation
Diarrhea
Difficulty urinating
Dry mouth
Nausea
Reduced sweating
Flatulence
Fatigue or tiredness
Sleepiness or drowsiness
Headache
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Blurred vision

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

Shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
Rash, itching or hives on the skin

Important Warnings

Certain medical conditions and situations require special caution or prevent the use of Oxytrol.

Who Should Not Take Oxytrol

Do not use if you are allergic to oxybutynin or any ingredients, under 18 years old, or have: urinary retention, gastric retention, toxic megacolon, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, severe ulcerative colitis, or myasthenia gravis.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney disease, diarrhea (especially with ileostomy/colostomy), bladder obstruction, gastrointestinal obstruction, non-severe ulcerative colitis, enlarged prostate, gastric reflux disease, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, or neurological disorders including cognitive impairment or Parkinson’s disease.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medicine.

Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Oxytrol and affect how it works.

Other anticholinergic drugs (used to treat incontinence)
Bisphosphonates (used to strengthen bone)

Alcohol & Driving

Oxytrol may affect your ability to drive safely and can interact with alcohol.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol may increase sleepiness. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

This medicine may cause tiredness and drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything dangerous if you experience these symptoms. Be careful until you know how Oxytrol affects you.

Temperature Regulation

Oxybutynin treatment may decrease sweating. You may overheat or have fever or heat stroke if you are in warm or hot temperatures.

Storage

Keep patches in original pack until ready to use – they will not keep well if removed from the pouch. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in refrigerator or freezer. Keep away from moisture, heat, sunlight, and out of reach of children.

Overdose Information

If you think you have used too much Oxytrol, remove the patch immediately and seek urgent medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include nervous system excitation, flushing, fever, dehydration, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, and difficulty passing urine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oxytrol delivers medicine slowly and constantly through your skin for the 3-4 days you wear each patch. Your doctor can provide more specific information about when you might expect to see improvement in your symptoms.

Yes, contact with water when bathing, swimming, showering, or exercising will not change how Oxytrol works. However, try to avoid rubbing the patch during these activities.

No, this medicine is not addictive.

If the patch partly or completely falls off, press it back in place and continue your normal schedule. If it won’t stay on, throw it away and put on a new patch in a different area, but keep following your original application schedule.

You should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as drinking alcohol may increase sleepiness when combined with Oxytrol.

Elderly patients over 65 years of age may have an increased chance of getting side effects, so extra monitoring may be needed.