UK Clinical Pharmacy Association

Oxybutynin

Issues for surgery

Risk of increased urinary frequency, urgency and urge incontinence if omitted.

Advice in the perioperative period

Elective and emergency surgery 

Continue.

Post-operative advice

Restart post-operatively when next dose due.

Review if patient develops reduced gastrointestinal motility (e.g. ileus) post-operatively.

Review appropriateness of continuing treatment if patient develops post-operative delirium.

Patients undergoing overactive bladder surgery

Review the need for oxybutynin post-operatively.

Interactions with common anaesthetic agents

Antimuscarinic action

Antimuscarinic action may be additive with agents that also have antimuscarinic effects such as atropine and glycopyrronium. 

Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period

Prokinetics

Due to the effect of antimuscarinics on gastro-intestinal motility the effectiveness of prokinetic agents e.g. metoclopramide may be reduced. 

Antiemetics

Antimuscarinic action may be additive with antiemetics that also have antimuscarinic effects such as cyclizine, haloperidol, levomepromazine or prochlorperazine.

Nefopam

Antimuscarinic action may be additive with nefopam which also has antimuscarinic effects.

Antimicrobials 

Clarithromycin (and to a lesser extent erythromycin) is predicted to increase the exposure of oxybutynin.

Whilst single surgical prophylactic doses should not pose a problem, consult product literature if continued post-operative treatment necessary as depending on the antimuscarinic concomitant use may be contraindicated or require dose reduction or monitoring for adverse effects.

Further information

None relevant.

References

Baxter K, Preston CL (eds), Stockley’s Drug Interactions (online) London: Pharmaceutical Press. http://about.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 3rd February 2021]

Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. http://about.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 3rd February 2021]

Summary of Product Characteristics – Kentera® (oxybutynin) transdermal patch. Orion Pharma (UK) Limited. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 06/11/2020 [date of revision of the text July 2014]

Summary of Product Characteristics – Lyrinel® (oxybutynin) XL 5mg prolonged release tablet. Janssen-Cilag Ltd Pharma (UK) Limited. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 06/11/2020 [date of revision of the text April 2020]