Flavoxate is an

anticholinergic Anticholinergics (anticholinergic agents) are substances that block the action of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (ACh) at synapses in the central and peripheral nervous system. These agents inhibit the parasympathetic nervous sys ...

with

antimuscarinic A muscarinic receptor antagonist (MRA) is a type of anticholinergic agent that blocks the activity of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. The muscarinic receptor is a protein involved in the transmission of signals through certain parts of th ...

effects. Its

muscle relaxant A muscle relaxant is a drug that affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and hyperreflexia. The term "muscle relaxant" is used to refer to two major therap ...

properties may be due to a direct action on the smooth muscle rather than by antagonizing muscarinic receptors.

Clinical uses

Flavoxate is used to treat urinary bladder spasms. It is available under the trade name Urispas (Paladin)(

india India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

), Genurin (by Recordati, Italy) in Italy and KSA, Uritac by El Saad company in Syria, under the name Bladderon by Nippon Shinyaku of Japan, or Bladuril in Chile, Utispas ( Apex Pharma) in Nepal. Flavoxate is indicated for symptomatic relief of

interstitial cystitis Interstitial cystitis (IC), a type of bladder pain syndrome (BPS), is chronic pain in the bladder and pelvic floor of unknown cause. It is the urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome of women. Symptoms include feeling the need to urinate right aw ...

, dysuria, urgency, nocturia, suprapubic pain, frequency and incontinence as may occur in cystitis, prostatitis, urethritis, urethrocystitis/urethrotrigonitis.

Side effects

Flavoxate is generally well tolerated, but can potentially cause vomiting, upset stomach, dry mouth or throat, blurred vision, eye pain, and increased sensitivity of the eyes to light.

Contraindications

Flavoxate is contraindicated in patients who have any of the following obstructive conditions: pyloric or duodenal obstruction, obstructive intestinal lesions or ileus, achalasia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage and obstructive uropathies of the lower urinary tract.

Clinical uses

Side effects

Contraindications

References

Further reading