Side effects of oxybutynin

These common side effects of oxybutynin may affect more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Try sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets.

Having a dry mouth can cause tooth decay or a fungal infection. It also might stop medicine that you put under your tongue from dissolving properly, such as medicine for angina.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if your headache is severe or does not get better.

Do not drive, cycle, use tools, or operate machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol, as this may make your symptoms worse.

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take the combined pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if diarrhoea lasts more than 1 or 2 days.

Try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

If you take the combined pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if vomiting lasts more than 1 or 2 days.

Get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run.

Eat less foods that cause wind, like lentils, peas, beans and onions. It might also help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. Ask your pharmacist about remedies you can buy to help with trapped wind.

Try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or a covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.

If you're in a lot of sudden, severe pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or optician to recommend some eye drops for dry eyes. If you wear contact lenses and these become uncomfortable, you might prefer to wear glasses instead while you're taking oxybutynin.

Do not drive or cycle until you can see clearly again. Do not take your next dose of oxybutynin if your vision is still blurred. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if your vision has not returned to normal a day after taking your last dose.

Try to relax when you pee. Do not try to force the flow of pee. If it does not happen, try again later.

Talk to a doctor urgently if you cannot pee at all.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.