Flavoxate
About
Flavoxate belongs to the group of medicines called anti-spasmodic agents used to treat urinary tract muscle spasms caused due to the inflammation of the urinary bladder, prostate gland or urethra. Besides this, Flavoxate also relieves symptoms that arise after the surgery, cystoscopy or catheterisation like dysuria (painful urination), nocturia (excessive urination at night) and the inability to control urine flow (urinary incontinence).
Flavoxate contains 'Flavoxate' that relaxes the muscles of the urinary bladder, thereby helps in preventing frequent urination, and excessive or uncontrolled urination. Flavoxate also helps in relieving the associated pain due to the inflammation and contraction of the urinary bladder due to urinary incontinence.
You are advised to take Flavoxate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, gastric pain, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Consult your doctor before taking Flavoxate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe Flavoxate only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Flavoxate may cause drowsiness, vertigo and blurred vision, so drive only if you are alert. Flavoxate should not be given to children below 12 years of age, as safety and efficacy have not been established. Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol while taking Flavoxate. Flavoxate may contain lactose so if you have lactose, sugar, or glucose-galactose intolerance, do not take Flavoxate.
Uses of Flavoxate
Medicinal Benefits
Flavoxate belongs to a group of medicines called ‘Antispasmdics’ used to relieve and prevent muscle spasms. Flavoxate contains ‘Flavoxate’ which works by inhibiting bladder contractions in the urinary tract, thereby reducing the associated pain. Flavoxate is used to treat urinary tract muscle spasms caused due to the inflammation of the urinary bladder, prostate gland or urethra. Besides this, Flavoxate also relieves symptoms that arise after the surgery, cystoscopy or catheterisation like dysuria (painful urination), nocturia (excessive urination at night) and the inability to control urine flow (urinary incontinence).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Flavoxate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Gastric pain
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Flavoxate if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you have gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction in food passage, muscular inability to swallow, urinary retention, glaucoma, or muscle weakness. Consult your doctor before taking Flavoxate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe you Flavoxate only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Flavoxate may cause drowsiness, so drive only if you are alert. Flavoxate should not be given to children as safety and efficacy have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Flavoxate as it could lead to increased drowsiness. Inform your doctor about your health conditions and medications to rule out any side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Flavoxate may interact with anti-convulsants (topiramate, valproic acid), anti-histamines (diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, cetirizine), anxiolytics (alprazolam, duloxetine), pain killer (acetaminophen), drugs used to relieve muscle spasm of the urinary tract (oxybutynin), and anti-depressant (fluoxetine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consuming alcohol along with Flavoxate as it could lead to increased drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have urinary obstruction, gastrointestinal obstruction, or glaucoma.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Flavoxate. Alcohol intake, along with Flavoxate, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe you Flavoxate only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will decide whether breastfeeding mothers can take Flavoxate or not.
Driving
cautionFlavoxate may cause drowsiness and vision disturbances; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Flavoxate should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Flavoxate should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeFlavoxate should not be used by children, as the efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Pelvic floor exercises would help treat bladder spasms.
- Avoid foods like sugars, carbonated beverages, tea, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, chocolate, and tea.
- Limit fluid intake as excess fluid intake could cause an urge to urinate frequently.
- Avoid drinking excess alcohol or caffeine.
- Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly.
- Quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Urologist might suggest tests like urodynamics test, urine culture, and bladder function test to diagnose symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
The contraction or tightening of bladder muscles causes bladder spasms. This is termed as an overactive bladder. Continuous contractions may cause an urge to urinate. Overactive bladder is characterized by involuntary leakage of urine, excessive urination, and urgent need to urinate. The common causes of bladder spasms are urinary tract infections, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, diabetes, constipation, impaired kidney function, bladder stones, enlarged prostate, or neurological disorders.
FAQs
Flavoxate relaxes the muscles of the urinary bladder, thereby helps in preventing frequent urination, and excessive or uncontrolled urination. Flavoxate also helps in relieving the associated pain.
Flavoxate causes drowsiness and vision disturbances. So, drive only if you are alert and omit driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy or drowsy.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Flavoxate. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
Flavoxate may cause stomach upset as a side-effect. To avoid this, take Flavoxate with food.
Flavoxate is safe for use in diabetes patients if prescribed by a doctor. However, if you have lactose intolerance do not take Flavoxate as it may contain lactose as an additive. Besides this, avoid intake of Flavoxate if you have glucose-galactose or Lapp intolerance.
There is some overlap between the symptoms of both OAB and BPH. OAB occurs due to malfunctioning of the nerves that trigger uncontrolled urinary bladder muscle contractions while the urinary bladder is filling with urine. The main symptom of OAB is a sudden urge to urinate that’s hard to control, which is stressful. On the other hand, BPH occurs due to enlarged prostate gland, which puts pressure on the urinary bladder, thereby blocking urine with pain.
