Oxybutynin
Also known as: Ditropan, Lyrinel
What it's for
Oxybutynin treats overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. It relaxes your bladder muscle to reduce urgency and frequency. Patches may cause fewer side effects.
Comes as: Tablets or patches
How to take it
- Tablets: Usually 5mg 2 or 3 times daily.
- Modified-release: Usually 5mg to 20mg once daily.
- Patches: Apply twice weekly to clean, dry skin.
- Take tablets with or without food.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Dry mouth (very common)
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness or confusion (especially in elderly)
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Can cause confusion in older people - report any memory problems
- Avoid getting too hot - reduces your ability to sweat
- Not suitable if you have glaucoma or urinary retention
- Patches: rotate application sites
Get medical help urgently if…
- You cannot pass urine
- You have severe confusion or hallucinations
- You have eye pain
- You have signs of overheating (hot, red skin, not sweating)
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.