Flavoxate: Indications, How to Take, Dosing & Side Effects

Flavoxate is an antispasmodic prescribed to relieve the symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs), or bladder and prostate problems. It can be beneficial for managing pain when urinating, sudden urges to urinate, frequent urges to urinate during the night or incontinence.

The active ingredient, flavoxate hydrochloride, contractions and spasms in the bladder and along urinary tract, which allows the urine to remain inside the bladder for longer.

Flavoxate is available in the form of 200mg tablets, which ccan be purchased at a pharmacy with a prescription. This medication can be prescribed for adults or children over 12 years of age, as long as there is a medical indication.

Indications for use

Flavoxate is indicated for the treatment of:

• Cystitis
• Prostatitis
• Urethritis
• Urethrocystitis
• Urethrotrigonitis

This medications helps to reduce contractions of the muscles found in the the urinary system. It can relieve sudden urges to urinate, difficulty or pain when urinating, frequent urge to urinate at night or incontinence.

This medication is also often indicated post-operatively, or to relieve discomfort after procedures involving the urinary tract, like after removing a urinary cathete.

How to take

In the United States, flavoxate is typically dispensed as 100mg tablets. You should swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water and must not break, crush, or chew it. The standard dosage for adults is one or two 100mg tablets taken three to four times a day, or exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.

You may take this medication with or without food, although taking it with a meal can help if you experience nausea. As your symptoms begin to improve, your doctor may decide to reduce your daily dose. The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children under 12 years of age.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects of flavoxate are nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, nervousness, mental confusion, dizziness, headache or drowsiness.

Additionally, other side effects that may occur are blurred vision, increased pressure in the eyes, or rapid heartbeat or palpitations.

Flavoxate can also cause serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. You should stop treatment and proceed to the nearest emergency room if you notice symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling in the mouth, tongue or face.

Contraindications for use

Flavoxate should not be taken by children under 12 years of age or by anyone who is allergic to flavoxate or any of the components found in this tablet. It should only be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and under strict medical supervision.

Furthermore, this medicine should not be taken by anyone with a history of glaucoma, rare genetic problems related to galactose intolerance, lactose deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Flavoxate is also contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, urinary tract obstructions or achalasia.