Ditropan XL

[starrygirl]

My family doc thinks I have an overactive bladder and gave me Ditropan XL. I started it yesterday, and feel little relief, so I think it may be working. The bladder spasms have decreased, but my urethra still burns.

My questions are:

What is Ditropan XL, exactly, and how does it work?
What happens when my two-week supply runs out, and I quit taking it?

P.S. I seriously think I have IC (painful urethra, itchy feeling, bladder spasms), and I'm going to call my family doc tomorrow and tell him I want to see a Urologist.

I am curious to know more about the Ditropan XL, though.

Thanks everyone!
shelley

[jaime15]

Shelley,
I've taken it before with no relief.......Maybe some one will come along and tell you its chemistry makeup.
I don't blame you for being forward and trying to see someone for the right dx.......I hope you can start on the road to recovery soon!:hi: ;)

[Sarojini]

Ditropan's chemical name is oxybutinin. It is what is called an "anti-cholinergic." It blocks certain types of receptors on nerve cells that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This leads to relaxation of smooth muscles -- the kind of muscles that are under automatic control from your brain, like your bladder, intenstines, etc-- rather than the skeletal muscles you use to move. (This is unlike other muscle relaxant drugs like Valium, which can just relax everything at once.)

Basically, the idea behind taking Ditropan for urinary urgency and frequency is that it can relax the bladder muscle, reduce spasms, and make you more comfortable. Many IC patients say it doesn't work that well for them, probably because their bladder contractions are caused by inflammation inside the bladder, rather than aberrant nerve impulses like in OAB (overactive bladder).

You may notice some side effects from the Ditropan... most people experience dry mouth (because your salivary glands respond to acetylcholine, and taking Ditropan slows them down too). Some people experience constipation as well, because the drug slows down intenstinal smooth muscle as well.

Hope it helps you!!!

[starrygirl]

Thanks for the responses. It may be all in my head, but I think the Ditropan XL is making me really sleepy. Not sure if that's one of the possible side effects, but I've taken it for the past 2 days, and I can hardly keep my eyes open!

The bladder spasms have drastically reduced since I started taking it, but the frequency urge is still there.

I think I'll skip my next dose and see what happens...

[sunshine_77us]

The DItropan XL helps me with the spasms and the urgency. I take it early in the morning before I leave for work.

[Sarojini]

Drowsiness is definitely a possible side effect from Ditropan. Some people get drowsy, and some people get nervous and jittery (I'm the nervous and jittery kind-- between that and my tendency to retain urine when on Ditropan, I only take it in absolute emergencies)... it just depends on body chemistry.

[Annie2]

We are all very individual in our responses to medications. I couldn't take Ditropan but Detrol LA works well for me. Others try both and have no luck with either. I take my Detrol an hour or so before bedtime so I get the full effect through the night, sleep better and only have to get up once or twice during the night. For me, it does tend to wear off a few hours before I am scheduled to take the next dose so my frequency does go up a little in the evenings before I take the next one. I'd rather deal with that in the evenings and then get a better night's sleep. If Ditropan makes you sleepy, perhaps taking it before bed would help you. You might experiement with it for a couple of days by taking it at different times to see what works best for you.

Annie

[Christa]

I've been taking a similar med for over a year plus imipramine and I have almost no problems. In my experience the spasm medicine takes time to work, weeks even months. After I started to feel relief, my dr and I worked together to reduce the meds while maintaining the effects.

Good luck in finding your own system.

Christa