Flavoxate is a urinary antispasmodic (also known as an anticholinergic).
Pronunciation: flay-vox-ate
What are flavoxate’s uses?
Flavoxate is used to treat muscle spasms in the bladder and urinary tract, as it relaxes the smooth muscles in the bladder.
It is taken in tablet form, and is usually prescribed to relieve difficult urination (for example, an overactive bladder where the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably causing frequent urination), as well as side effects of conditions such as prostate, bladder or kidney infection that affect urination.
What dosage should you take?
The typical dose for adults is 200mg three times daily.
Flavoxate is generally not recommended for usage by children younger than 12. However, consult with your doctor and Clicks pharmacist first.
What special precautions should you take?
- Tell your doctor or Clicks pharmacist if you are allergic to flavoxate or if you have any other allergies.
- Be sure to share your medical history with your Clicks pharmacist or doctor before using flavoxate.
- Be aware that ingesting alcohol while you are taking flavoxate may increase drowsiness and dizziness.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use flavoxate only if your doctor has determined that the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Be aware that flavoxate has a high propensity for side effects in the elderly.
Flavoxate should be avoided if you suffer from the following conditions:
- Glaucoma (an eye disorder that results in optic nerve damage)
- An auto-immune or neuromuscular disease including myasthenia gravis
- Intestinal paralysis
- Pyloric stenosis (a condition where infants vomit forcefully)
- Ulcerative colitis
- Difficulty passing urine
- Megacolon (abnormal dilation of the colon)
Flavoxate should be used with caution if you suffer from the following conditions:
- A family history of glaucoma
- Heart problems
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Impaired liver or kidney function
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- A bleeding disorder
- A hiatal hernia
- An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- A bowel obstruction
- Prostate problems
What drug interactions could you experience?
To avoid adverse drug interactions, always inform your doctor or Clicks pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or planning to take.
What are flavoxate’s side effects?
Side effects could include:
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Urinary difficulty
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Leucopenia (a diminished white blood cell count that leads to a compromised immune system)
- Abdominal pain
This is not a complete list of side effects. It’s essential that you call your doctor should you notice any severe or odd side effects.
What are the overdose symptoms?
Call a doctor or ambulance immediately if you suspect an overdose and notice the following symptoms:
- Severe drowsiness
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Fever
- Confusion