Flavoxate Hydrochloride
Indications
Flavoxate is indicated for symptomatic relief of dysuria, urgency, nocturia, suprapubic pain, frequency and incontinence as may occur in cystitis, prostatitis, urethritis and urethrocystitis.
Description
Flavoxate is a spasmolytic flavone derivative that acts by relaxing the smooth muscle in the urinary tract. Flavoxate is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Muscarinic receptors play an important role in several major cholin-ergically mediated functions, including contractions of urinary bladder smooth muscle and stimulation of salivary secretion.
Pharmacology
Flavoxate acts as a direct antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in cholinergically innervated organs. Its anticholinergic-parasympatholytic action reduces the tonus of smooth muscle in the bladder, effectively reducing the number of required voids, urge incontinence episodes, urge severity and improving retention, facilitating increased volume per void.
Dosage & Administration
The usual dosage of Flavoxate Hydrochloride for patients older than 12 years of age is 100-200 mg 3 or 4 times daily. Dosage may be reduced as symptoms improve. In patients with infections, treatment is usually continued for as long as antibacterial or antiinfective medications are administered. In patients with chronic bladder symptoms, maintenance therapy for prolong periods may be required for optimum results.
Contraindications
Flavoxate is contraindicated in patients who have any of the following obstructive conditions: pyloric or duodenal obstruction, obstructive intestinal lesions or ileus, achalasia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage and obstructive uropathies of the lower urinary tract.
Side Effects
Side effects of Flavoxate Hydrochloride include nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and throat, nervousness, vertigo, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision, increased ocular tension, disturbance in ocular accommodation, urticaria and other dermatoses, mental confusion, dysuria, tachycardia and palpitation, hyperpyrexia, and eosinophilia. Rarely, abdominal pain and difficulty in concentration may occur. Constipation has been reported in patients receiving 800 mg to 1.2 g of Flavoxate Hydrochloride daily.
Pregnancy & Lactation
There are no well-controlled studies using Flavoxate Hydrochloride in pregnant women and therefore the drug should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. Since it is not known whether Flavoxate Hydrochloride is distributed into milk, the drug should be used with caution in nursing women.
Precautions & Warnings
Because of possible drowsiness, vertigo, and ocular disturbances, Flavoxate Hydrochloride should be administered with caution to patients performing hazardous tasks requiring mental alertness or physical coordination. Flavoxate Hydrochloride should also be administered with caution to patients with suspected glaucoma.
Overdose Effects
Symptoms of overdose may include unusually dry mouth, excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, blurred vision, dilated pupils, flushed & dry skin, muscle weakness, unusual dizziness or drowsiness, restlessness, disorientation and seizures.
Therapeutic Class
BPH/ Urinary retention/ Urinary incontinence
Storage Conditions
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
