Do you also have to urinate frequently? Do you feel burning or pain when urinating ? Or do you have a tendency to urinate frequently? It is very annoying when you have such urinary system problems, isn't it? So, Flavoxate is a medicine that doctors often prescribe to control such symptoms. Today, let's talk about this medicine, what it does, and what things to be careful about while taking it.
What kind of medicine is Flavoxate?
Simply put, Flavoxate is a medicine that relaxes the muscles in your bladder and reduces its contractions. Medically speaking, it is an ``antispasmodic'' type of medicine. This medicine helps reduce symptoms such as pain, burning, and frequent urination caused by problems with the urinary system. In Sri Lanka, you may find this medicine under the brand name Urispas.
But here's something very important that you must understand. This is not an antibiotic . That is, if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), this medicine cannot kill the bacteria that caused the infection and completely cure the infection. It only controls the symptoms of the infection, such as pain, inflammation, and the need to urinate frequently. Therefore, if your doctor has given you an antibiotic along with this medicine, you must definitely use both medicines as prescribed.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he or she needs to have a complete picture of your health. Only then can he or she determine whether this medicine is right for you and safe for you. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Your health condition | Why should you tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal bleeding | The use of Flavoxate may not be appropriate under these circumstances. |
| Glaucoma condition | This medication may be harmful to glaucoma patients because it may increase eye pressure. |
| Obstructions in the stomach, intestines, or urinary tract | This medicine may make those blockages worse. |
| Difficulty urinating | If you already have difficulty urinating, this medicine may make it worse. |
| Allergies to Flavoxate or other medications or foods | This is essential to prevent you from developing an allergy. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is very important to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | You should be aware of whether the ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use the medicine?
Using this medicine is very simple.
- Take the prescribed dose with a glass of water, as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions on the prescription exactly.
- It is important to take your medicine at the prescribed time, at the prescribed intervals, as prescribed by your doctor. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
- This medicine can usually be prescribed to children over the age of 12 in some selected cases. However, only your doctor should decide on this.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't delay . Call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital as soon as possible, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
The most important thing is that this medicine is prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to someone else just because they have the same symptoms as you. It can be dangerous.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Please don't panic at such times. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
It's a good idea to be a little more careful about the little things in your daily life while taking this medicine.
- Drowsiness and alertness: Some people may feel a little drowsy or dizzy after taking this medication. This may affect your alertness and reaction time. Therefore, stay away from activities that require a lot of attention, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
- Dizziness: To reduce dizziness and fainting, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting position or out of bed. Do not stand up all at once.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medication can increase these side effects (drowsiness, dizziness) . Therefore, it is best to stay away from alcohol.
- Dry mouth: This medication may cause dry mouth. Drink plenty of water to help with this. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to help relieve this discomfort. If this persists, tell your doctor.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Flavoxate can cause side effects in some people. But most people don't. Let's take a look at what these side effects are.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| If any of these occur, tell your doctor immediately. | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Eye problems | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, and loss of vision. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Drowsiness | Feeling sleepy during the day. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling like saliva is drying up in the mouth. |
| Headache | Common headache. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
How do you store and dispose of medication properly?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at normal room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired medicine.
How do I dispose of expired or unused medicine?
- The best way is to hand them over to a drug take-back program . You can ask your pharmacy or the nearest police station about these places.
- If that's not possible, check the medicine label to see if there are any instructions on whether to throw it in the trash or flush it down the toilet.
- If you are throwing the pills in the trash, take them out of the bottle, mix them with something that no one would eat, such as used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and put them in a tightly sealed bag. This will help prevent the medicine from falling into the wrong hands.
Take-Home Message
- Flavoxate is a medicine that controls symptoms such as pain and inflammation caused by urinary tract infections, but is not an antibiotic that cures the infection.
- If you have conditions such as glaucoma, digestive tract, or urinary tract obstruction, be sure to tell your doctor before taking this medication.
- This medicine may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so be careful when driving or doing work that requires attention.
- If you experience eye pain, blurred vision, or severe allergic symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- Never share your prescribed medication with others.
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