Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using oxybutynin as follows:
- Oxybutynin use can result in relaxation of bladder smooth muscle and thereby, prevents random bladder spasms and contractions, thus promoting bladder retention and reducing random episodes of sudden bladder emptying and urinary incontinence. So, oxybutynin is contraindicated in individuals with complaint of bladder retention and difficulty bladder emptying. Oxybutynin is also contraindicated in individuals with complaint of bladder outlet obstruction, such as, individuals with prostatic hyperplasia and hypertrophy.
- As oxybutynin is an anticholinergic acting on the muscarinic receptors, it can act on these receptors present diffusely in the body in various organs/systems, thus contributing to various side-effects.
- Oxybutynin, in addition to relaxing the smooth muscle in the bladder, can also relax the smooth muscle of the stomach and intestines, thus contributing to slowing of gastric emptying and bowel movements. So, oxybutynin is contraindicated in individuals with history of gastric retention and chronic constipation.
- Oxybutynin use can also result in difficulty draining the fluid in the eye and so, can result in increase in intraocular pressure and exacerbation of symptoms of glaucoma. This medication is contraindicated in individuals with history of glaucoma.
