Flavoxate, Oral fla-VOKS-ate

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antispasmodic; anticholinergic

Generic and brand names: flavoxate, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to reduce muscle spasms of the bladder. This helps to relieve problems such as pain, burning, or frequent urination.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bleeding disorder
• glaucoma
• an enlarged prostate
• blockage in your intestines or urinary tract
• vertigo (dizziness)

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. You may take it with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.

Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider if it continues or gets worse.

This medicine may reduce sweating. Exercise with caution and avoid getting overheated.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Eye pain, sore throat with fever, severe confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, vomiting.

Other: Mild drowsiness or dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, blurred vision, headache, nervousness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine fumarate (Tavist), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• anticholinergic drugs (medicines that decrease sweating and other body secretions) such as atropine, hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, Levsinex, Levbid), methscopolamine (Pamine), oxybutynin (Ditropan), scopolamine (Scopace), and tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA)
• antinausea medicines such as prochlorperazine (Compro) and promethazine (Phenergan)
• narcotic painkillers such as codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), morphine, and oxycodone (Oxy-IR, OxyContin)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, clozapine (Clozaril), fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), perphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• sleeping pills such as butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, phenobarbital, temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not freeze.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.