Throughout the course of ditropan XL or oxybutynin medication, one is advised to avoid overheating or dehydration for example during exercise as well as hot weather. Ditropan XL or oxybutynin has been linked to side effects such as decreased perspiration consequently sponsoring chances of heat stroke.
How Effective is Ditropan XL or Oxybutynin?
Ditropan XL or oxybutynin is recognized as treatment for effectively helping reduce spasms in muscles of the urinary tract as well as the bladder.
Ditropan XL or oxybutynin is associated with effective treatment for overactive bladder symptoms such as urgent/ frequent urination, urine/ incontinence leakage and frequent urination during the night.
There are critical points that must be put into consideration before embarking on the use of ditropan XL or oxybutynin. To start with one should not embark on using ditropan XL or oxybutynin if he/she is allergic to oxybutynin. One is also warned against using ditropan XL or oxybutynin if he/she suffers from certain conditions. Some of these conditions include:
- Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
- Blockage in the digestive tract (stomach or intestines)
- Inability to urinate.
Moreover, before using ditropan XL or oxybutynin, it is critical to inform your doctor first if you suffer from conditions such as glaucoma, enlarged prostate, liver or kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, blockage in your stomach or intestines, ulcerative colitis, or a stomach disorder (such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and slow digestion.)
Others who all require a doctor’s approval before starting on ditropan XL or oxybutynin are those suffering from parkinson’s disease; nerve disorder that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or digestion; or muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.
What are the Side Effects of Ditropan XL or Oxybutynin?
Ditropan XL or oxybutynin is associated with a number of side effects. Common side effects include blurred vision, dry eyes, mild constipation, dizziness/drowsiness and impaired thinking or reactions. Caution is therefore advised when driving and engaging in other activities that demand alertness and clear vision.
More extreme side effects of ditropan XL or oxybutynin may include dry and hot skin, extreme stomach ache extreme thirst, constipation and burning sensation or pain when urinating. Passing little or no urine at all, eye pain, tunnel vision or seeing halos around lights also fall under this category. One must stop using this medication and seek services of a doctor in face of such serious side effects.
It is also vital to seek immediate medical aid if you notice any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction to ditropan XL or oxybutynin: hives; difficulty in breathing; swelling of the tongue, face, lips, and throat.
Ditropan XL or oxybutynin has no established harmful effects on an unborn baby. However, it is important to consult your doctor in case you are pregnant or are planning on getting pregnant in the course of the medication.
However, it is not very clear whether oxybutynin passes into breast milk consequently causing harm to a suckling baby. One therefore should not use this medication without her doctor’s knowledge on such affairs.
How Does Ditropan XL or Oxybutynin Interact with Other Medicines?
There are a variety of other medications that can interfere with ditropan XL or oxybutynin. Your doctor therefore should be well informed about all other medication that you take ranging from prescription drugs, OTC (over-the-counter), vitamins as well as herbal products. Never start a new medication prior to informing your doctor. It is important to keep an inventory of all the medications & inform about it to your physician.
There are other drugs that when taken in conjunction with ditropan XL or oxybutynin can worsen its side effects, especially those pills that induce sleep. It is important to seek a doctor’s advice before taking ditropan XL or oxybutynin with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, muscle relaxers, medicine for anxiety, depression or seizures.
More importantly, you should inform your doctor about all medicines you use before and during ditropan XL or oxybutynin medication especially if they include:
- Medicines for other urinary or bladder infections such as, fesoterodine, solifenacin, tolterodine, darifenacin
- Bronchodilators such as tiotropium or ipratropium
- Medicine for colds or allergies especially those that contain antihistamine(s)
- Medication for Parkinson’s disease
- Medication to treat stomach ulcers, excess stomach acid, irritable bowel syndrome or motion sickness.
