What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Oxybutynin Winthrop.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor or pharmacist has weighed the risks of you taking Oxybutynin Winthrop against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Oxybutynin Winthrop is used for
Oxybutynin Winthrop is used to decrease the urgency and the frequency of urination. Oxybutynin Winthrop works by relaxing the bladder smooth muscle and helps to decrease muscle spasm. This delays the initial desire and the urge to urinate.
Your doctor may have prescribed Oxybutynin Winthrop for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Oxybutynin Winthrop has been prescribed for you.
There is no evidence that Oxybutynin Winthrop is addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Oxybutynin Winthrop is not recommended for use in children under the age of 5 years, as there have been no studies of its effects in children.
Before you take Oxybutynin Winthrop
When you must not take it
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop if you have an allergy to Oxybutynin Winthrop or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop if you have:
- Angle closure glaucoma or shallow anterior chamber - disorders of the eye
- Partial or complete intestinal blockage; stomach, intestinal or large bowel problems including colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- Myasthenia gravis - a disease of the muscles
- Urinary tract blockage
- Severe bleeding
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
The safety of the use of Oxybutynin Winthrop in women who are pregnant or may become pregnant has not been established.
Like most medicines, Oxybutynin Winthrop is not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless you and your doctor or pharmacist have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
Like most medicines, Oxybutynin Winthrop is not recommended while you are breast-feeding.
Do not give Oxybutynin Winthrop to a child under 5 years, unless directed by the child's doctor or pharmacist.
The safety and effectiveness of Oxybutynin Winthrop in children under 5 years have not been established.
Use caution when giving Oxybutynin Winthrop to children age 5 years or older.
Children are more sensitive to the effects of Oxybutynin Winthrop.
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering or if the tablets don't quite look right.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking Oxybutynin Winthrop, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Oxybutynin Winthrop during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Oxybutynin Winthrop during breast-feeding.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- Liver, kidney or heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid problems
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Autonomic neuropathy (a disorder of the nervous system)
- Angle closure glaucoma or shallow anterior chamber - disorders of the eye
- Partial or complete intestinal blockage; stomach, intestinal or large bowel problems including colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- Myasthenia gravis - a disease of the muscles
- Parkinson’s disease
- Urinary tract blockage
- Severe bleeding
- Hiatus hernia (movement of the stomach up into the chest with heart burn)
- Diarrhoea
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Oxybutynin Winthrop.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Oxybutynin Winthrop may interfere with each other. These include:
- digoxin - used to treat diseases of the heart (irregular heart rate, chronic heart failure)
- L-dopa - used to treat a disease of the brain affecting movement (parkinson's disease)
- phenothiazines - a group of anti-psychotic drugs
- butyrophenones - a group of anti-psychotic drugs
- tricyclic antidepressants - used to treat depression
- amantidine - used to treat viral infection
- hyoscine - a muscle relaxant
- prokinetic drugs – medicines used to promote stomach emptying
- some antihistamines - used to treat the symptoms of hayfever
These medicines may be affected by Oxybutynin Winthrop, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Oxybutynin Winthrop.
How to take Oxybutynin Winthrop
How much to take
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
The usual adult dose is one 5mg tablet two to three times per day.
Your doctor may reduce this dosage depending on your general condition.
The usual dose for children over 5 years of age is one 5mg tablet twice per day.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it
Swallow Oxybutynin Winthrop with a glass of water.
When to take it
Take Oxybutynin Winthrop at about the same time each day.
Taking your tablets at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
How long to take it
Oxybutynin Winthrop helps control your condition, but does not cure it. Therefore you must take Oxybutynin Winthrop every day. Continue taking the tablets for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or pharmacist or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26 or New Zealand 0800 POISON or 0800 764766), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Oxybutynin Winthrop. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much Oxybutynin Winthrop, you may feel
- restless or excited
- flushing, light headedness or dizziness
- difficulty in breathing
- numbness in the hands or feet
While you are using Oxybutynin Winthrop
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Oxybutynin Winthrop.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Oxybutynin Winthrop.
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Oxybutynin Winthrop.
If you become pregnant while taking Oxybutynin Winthrop, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Things you must not do
Do not give Oxybutynin Winthrop to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take Oxybutynin Winthrop to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Oxybutynin Winthrop may make you sweat less causing your body temperature to rise. Take extra care to avoid becoming overheated during exercise or hot weather, since overheating may result in heat stroke.
This is particularly relevant to children who often run around playing in the hot sun.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Oxybutynin Winthrop affects you.
Oxybutynin Winthrop may cause drowsiness or blurred vision in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Oxybutynin Winthrop before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy or have blurred vision. If this occurs do not drive.
Alcohol or other sedatives may increase the drowsiness that may be caused by Oxybutynin Winthrop.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Oxybutynin Winthrop.
Oxybutynin Winthrop helps most people, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
If you are elderly, you may be especially sensitive to the effects of Oxybutynin Winthrop. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- nausea
- headache
- dryness of the mouth, nose and throat
- drowsiness
- constipation
- decreased sweating
- diarrhoea
- stomach discomfort
- loss of appetite
- heartburn
- dry skin
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- flushing
- dizziness
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- restlessness or trouble sleeping
- hallucinations
- nightmares
- confusion, nervousness (feeling anxious) or severe suspiciousness (paranoia)
- agitation
- convulsions, fits or seizures
- eye problems including dry eyes or blurred vision
- difficulty urinating
- skin rash
- decreased flow of breast milk
- impotence
These may be serious side effects.
You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- fever or heat stroke
- numbness in the hands or feet
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- hives
- fainting
- yellowing of the skin and eyes also called jaundice
These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
All of these side effects are very rare.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After using Oxybutynin Winthrop
Storage
Keep your tablets in the bottle until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the bottle they will not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Protect from light.
Do not store Oxybutynin Winthrop or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Oxybutynin Winthrop or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Oxybutynin Winthrop tablets are light blue, round, single scored tablets, blank on both sides.
Oxybutynin Winthrop is supplied in bottles containing 100 tablets.
Ingredients
Oxybutynin Winthrop does not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Oxybutynin Winthrop contains :
- Oxybutynin hydrochloride
- Anhydrous lactose
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Calcium Stearate
- Brilliant Blue FCF (CI 42090)
Supplier
Oxybutynin Winthrop is supplied in Australia by:
sanofi-aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park
NSW 2113
Australia
Australian Registration Number: AUST R 130903
This leaflet was prepared in May 2016
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