Flavoxate Hydrochloride

Generic Details

Generic Name

Flavoxate Hydrochloride

Other Names

  • Flavoxate HCl

Drug Class

  • Anticholinergic/Antimuscarinic

Chemical Formula

C24H25NO4.HCl

Molecular Weight

427.922 g/mol

Mechanism of Action

  • Acts as a direct smooth muscle relaxant
  • Antagonizes acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors in the bladder

Indications

  • Overactive bladder
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency

Common Dosage Forms

  • Tablet
  • Extended-release tablet

Typical Dosage

  • 200 mg three to four times a day

Pediatric Dosage

  • Not established

Geriatric Dosage

  • May require dosage adjustment due to decreased renal function

Side Effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea
  • Constipation

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to flavoxate
  • Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Myasthenia gravis

Pregnancy Category

  • Category B - Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women

Lactation Safety

  • Not recommended during lactation due to limited data on excretion in human milk

Drug Interactions

  • Avoid concomitant use with other anticholinergic drugs
  • May potentiate the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants

Overdose Symptoms

  • Severe drowsiness
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

Antidote for Overdose

  • No specific antidote, symptomatic and supportive treatment

Storage Conditions

  • Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat

Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption: Well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
  • Distribution: Widely distributed in the body, crosses the blood-brain barrier
  • Metabolism: Mainly hepatic via glucuronidation
  • Excretion: Primarily in the urine

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias
  • Caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment

Warnings

  • May cause drowsiness or blurred vision, caution when driving or operating machinery

Others

  • May take several weeks for full benefits to be realized