Oxytrol patches discontinued

Oxytrol patches discontinued 2023: Is it still available?

Is Oxytrol patches discontinued? The Oxytrol for Women skin patch is obtainable without a prescription and over-the-counter. However, the Oxytrol for Men skin patch may only be obtained with a prescription from a doctor. This product has different dosing formulations, such as patches and extended releases.

The active component of Oxytrol is oxybutynin. It is available in the dosage form. Oxytrol is used to treat an overactive bladder. Through our skin, it gets the active substance oxybutynin enters our blood. Following their takeover of Merck & Co., Bayer AG reportedly stopped selling the OTC version of OXY-TDS in early 2015 due to weak sales. This is stated by Wilkes (2015). Even now, Oxy-TDS is only accessible with a prescription.

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Are Oxytrol patches still available?

Oxytrol patches discontinued

An overactive bladder is treated with oxybutynin. Oxybutynin relieves problems such as leakage (the inability to control urination), the need to urinate immediately (urgency), and frequent bathroom visits by easing the muscles in the bladder (frequency). This medicine is a member of the antispasmodic drug subclass.

According to the manufacturer, children under the age of five should not take this drug. Adult women should only handle over-the-counter medication. Women who have experienced urinary retention symptoms for at least two months can consume it unless their doctor instructs them otherwise.

Oxytrol reduces muscle spasms in the bladder and urinary tract. The small layer of adhesive that adheres the patch to our skin contains oxybutynin, the active substance. For the three to four days that patients wear the patch, the Oxytrol skin patch slowly and continuously releases the medication through their skin and into their bloodstream.

The medication oxybutynin, long used to treat urinary incontinence, is now available as a transdermal patch under Oxytrol. The atropine effect of oxybutynin causes the bladder’s contraction muscle to relax. The medication’s transdermal version was created to address the adverse impact of dry mouth.

In 2002, Oxytrol was made available in Canada. The transdermal administration mechanism in Oxytrol’s oxybutynin decreases the adverse effects of the medication. On October 25, 2022, Oxytrol reportedly ended in Canada. The reason for the discontinuation is mainly attributed to business issues.

Only those with a prescription can purchase oxybutynin. It is available as patches, liquids to ingest, extended-release tablets, slow-release pills, and regular tablets for quick release.

Side Effects of Oxytrol

The patients should keep the Oxytrol skin patch out of direct sunlight. It ought to be covered by clothing. Alcohol use can make some oxybutynin side effects worse. Until we know how this medication may impact us, stay away from driving and other risky activities. Our reflexes can be slower. Avoid being too hot or dehydrated when exercising or when the weather is hot.

Since oxybutynin can make people sweat less, the risk of heat stroke may increase. One should keep this medication away from the eyes. If contact does happen, they should give them a thorough rinsing. When using Oxytrol on the skin, avoid applying oils, powders, or lotions to that area. These additional skin care treatments might perform less effectively and make it more difficult for the skin to receive oxybutynin.

Suppose you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic response to Oxytrol, such as rashes, breathing difficulty, or puffiness of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. In that case, you should seek emergency medical attention. If anyone does, stop using this medication and contact the physician right away. They are:

  • hardly urinating
  • extremely constipate
  • confusion and illusion
  • nausea, severe heartburn, or discomfort in the upper stomach
  • pain or burning during urination
  •  signs of dehydration include extreme thirst or heat, inability to pee, excessive sweating, or hot, dry skin.

Typical side effects of Oxytrol include:

  • redness, slight skin irritability, or itching where a patch was worn
  • fatigue and vertigo
  • oral aridity
  • the vision that is blurry or dry eyes
  • diarrhea, constipation, and less urine

Conclusion

Compared to oral treatment, the cutaneous distribution of oxybutynin is said to have fewer anticholinergic adverse effects. First-pass metabolism must be avoided to minimize the N-DEO metabolite’s generation significantly. 

Although application site responses are frequent and have led to drug discontinuation in adult and pediatric populations, The delivery system translates into a reduced risk of dry mouth and other undesirable anticholinergic side effects. The higher cost of transdermal formulations is nevertheless a factor to be considered and is a possible obstacle to long-term medication adherence.