This medicine contains the active ingredient flavoxate hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called a muscle relaxant. It works by relaxing the involuntary muscle that is found in the wall of the bladder. This muscle can sometimes contract in uncontrollable spasms, and this can cause an increase in the frequency of urination, uncontrollable urges to pass urine, and incontinence.
By relaxing the muscle in the bladder wall, this medicine lessens unstable contractions of the bladder. This increases the capacity of the bladder and reduces the need to pass urine.
This medicine can therefore be used to reduce the pain, urgency and frequency of urination that occurs in inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract, such as cystitis, inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) or inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis). It is also used to reduce spasms of the bladder and urethra caused by inserting a catheter (to allow drainage of urine) or a cystoscope (for examining the inside of the bladder) into the urethra.
What is it used for?
Incontinence
Needing to pass urine at night (nocturia)
Pain in the bladder/above the pubic bone
Pain or difficulty urinating (dysuria)
Passing urine too frequently (urinary frequency)
Spasms of the bladder or urethra due to catheters, cystoscopy or urinary tract surgery
Uncontrollable urge to pass urine (urinary urgency)
Warning!
This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
This medicine may cause drowsiness and blurred vision. If affected do not drive or operate machinary.
Use with caution in:
Elderly people
Glaucoma
Not to be used in:
Bleeding from the stomach or intestines
Blockage of the gut (intestinal obstruction)
Constriction of the foodpipe due to an inability of the muscle to relax, causing difficulty swallowing (achalasia)
Obstruction of the intestines due to loss of intestinal movement or physical blockage (ileus)
Obstruction of the urinary tract (urethra)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Discuss this with your doctor.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Headache
Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)
Diarrhoea
Drowsiness
Confusion
Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty or pain on passing urine (dysuria)
Nervousness
Itchy rash (urticaria)
Very high body temperature (hyperpyrexia)
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
There are no known interactions with this medicine.