Ditropan XL Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Ditropan XL Tablet contains oxybutynin chloride, an anticholinergic and antispasmodic medicine. It is an extended-release tablet used to treat overactive bladder symptoms such as urgency, frequency, leakage, and urge incontinence, and to treat detrusor overactivity linked to a neurological condition such as spina bifida in children aged 6 and older. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles and is taken once daily.

What is Ditropan XL Tablet

Ditropan XL is an extended-release tablet form of oxybutynin, an anticholinergic and antispasmodic medicine used to treat overactive bladder symptoms.

Ditropan XL Tablet uses

• Relieving symptoms of overactive bladder, including urinary urgency, frequency, leakage, and urge incontinence
• Treating detrusor overactivity linked to a neurological condition such as spina bifida in children aged 6 and older

Benefits of Ditropan XL Tablet

• Helps treat overactive bladder symptoms.
• Reduces sudden urinary urgency.
• Helps decrease frequent urination.
• Can reduce urge incontinence (urine leakage).
• Extended-release formulation provides longer-lasting bladder control with once-daily dosing.

How Ditropan XL Tablet works

Oxybutynin relaxes the muscles of the bladder, which helps reduce bladder spasms, urgency, and how often you need to urinate.

Ditropan XL Tablet dosage

This tablet can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with water or other liquids; do not crush, chew, or split it. Take it at approximately the same time every day.

Don't worry if you notice something in your stool that looks like a tablet — this is just the empty tablet shell left over after the medicine has been released in your body.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular schedule — do not double up.

This medicine is not recommended for children who cannot swallow the tablet whole without chewing, dividing, or crushing it, or for children under 6 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Extended-release tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg)

Side effects of Ditropan XL Tablet

Common

• blurred vision
• constipation
• cough
• decreased sweating
• diarrhea
• difficulty urinating
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry eyes
• dry mouth
• dry or sore throat
• dry skin
• gas
• headache
• heartburn
• nausea
• sore throat
• stomach pain
• stuffy nose
• taste changes
• tiredness
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

Serious

• back or joint pain
• blurred vision
• confusion
• eye pain
• nervousness
• signs of heart rhythm disturbances such as dizziness or palpitations
• signs of depression (poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of urinary tract infection (burning when passing urine, blood in the urine, or increased urgency to urinate)
• swelling of the hands and feet
• symptoms of increased blood pressure (headache, vision problems, dizziness, shortness of breath)
• unusual weakness
• feeling agitated or behaving irrationally
• hallucinations
• seizures
• signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, itchy skin, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue)
• symptoms of a severe skin reaction (rash, red skin, blisters, peeling, fever)

Warnings and precautions

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema) has been reported with this medicine, sometimes after just the first dose, and can be life-threatening if it affects the airway. Stop the medicine and get medical help right away if this happens.
• This medicine reduces sweating, which can make it harder for your body to cool down in hot weather, raising the risk of fever and heat stroke. Stay cool, limit time outdoors, and drink plenty of water.
• This medicine can worsen acid reflux caused by hiatus hernia and can cause serious bowel problems in people with ulcerative colitis.
• This medicine can worsen heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure. It may also cause or worsen a heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation.
• This medicine may worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
• This medicine may worsen symptoms of an overactive thyroid.
• Older adults may have a higher risk of side effects with this medicine.
• This medicine has not been proven safe or effective for use in children in some contexts.
• This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits are believed to outweigh the risks. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about whether you should keep breastfeeding while taking it.
• If you have reduced kidney function, talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect you and whether extra monitoring is needed.
• If you have reduced liver function, talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect you and whether extra monitoring is needed.
• Alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this medicine.
• This medicine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that needs full alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat and humidity.
• Protect tablets from light and moisture.
• Keep tablets in the original, tightly closed container until use.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, itchy skin, trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, throat, or tongue.
• Stop taking this medicine and get medical help right away if you feel agitated, behave irrationally, have hallucinations, or have a seizure.
• Get medical help right away if you have a severe skin reaction, such as rash, red skin, blisters, peeling, or fever.
• If you notice swelling of the tongue or throat, or have trouble breathing, stop taking this medicine and seek emergency care right away.
• Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have dizziness or a pounding, rapid, or irregular heartbeat, since this could be a sign of a heart rhythm problem.

Alternatives

• Mirabegron
• Trospium
• Fesoterodine (Toviaz)
• Solifenacin (Vesicare)
• Tolterodine (Detrol)