Gelnique
Gelnique (oxybutynin) is a gel version of one of the most commonly used medications for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). The gel can spread to other people through close skin-to-skin contact if not careful, and it can cause irritating skin reactions.
What is Gelnique (oxybutynin)?
What is Gelnique (oxybutynin) used for?
- Overactive bladder (OAB)
How Gelnique (oxybutynin) works
Gelnique (oxybutynin) is an anticholinergic and antimuscarinic medication that relaxes the muscles in your bladder. Relaxed bladder muscles have fewer spasms, and this lowers your need to urinate.
Drug facts
Side effects of Gelnique (oxybutynin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth (8%)
- Urinary tract infection (7%)
- Skin reactions where medication is placed (itchy skin, bumps on the skin, red skin, irritated skin; 5%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (cough, sore throat; 5%)
- Dizziness (3%)
- Common cold (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Feeling low energy
- Headache
- Stomach flu
- Constipation
- Itching
The following Gelnique (oxybutynin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bladder pain
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
bloody or cloudy urine
burning, skin rash, swelling, soreness, redness, pain, itching, or irritation at the application site
cracked, dry, or scaly skin
difficult, burning, or painful urination
frequent urge to urinate
lower back or side pain
unusually warm skin
Incidence not known
Confusion as to time, place, or person
holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Back pain
bloated feeling
changes in vision
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
feeling of fullness
muscle aches
passing gas
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Incidence not known
Forgetfulness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Gelnique (oxybutynin)
Pros
- Fewer side effects than the oral version of this medication (oxybutynin (Ditropan))
- Only need to apply once a day
- Comes as convenient, single-dose packets (sachets)
Cons
- Can spread to other people and cause side effects if there's close skin-to-skin contact
- Can cause skin irritation around where the medication is applied
- Can be expensive, since it's only available as a brand medication
Pharmacist tips for Gelnique (oxybutynin)
- Make sure the skin you are applying Gelnique (oxybutynin) to is clean and dry. Be careful not to apply it over cuts, open wounds, or an area of skin that you've recently shaved. Doing this can raise your risk of side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
- Since Gelnique (oxybutynin) can make you dizzy or tired, avoid driving or doing any activities that require a lot of concentration until you know how this medication affects you.
- Apply Gelnique (oxybutynin) to your stomach, upper arms, shoulders, or thighs once a day. Rotate where you apply the gel every day to prevent skin irritation. It's best to use it on an area that will be covered by clothing, as it's possible for the gel to transfer to another person and cause them to have side effects if they touch your skin after the medication has been applied. Wash your hands right after applying Gelnique (oxybutynin) on your skin to prevent accidental transfer of medication to another person.
- Don't shower, swim, or take a bath less than one hour after applying Gelnique (oxybutynin). It's okay to do these things after an hour has passed.
- You can apply sunscreen if you need to use it while you're using Gelnique (oxybutynin). Just make sure to apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before or after Gelnique (oxybutynin) to make sure each product absorbs into your skin properly.
- Gelnique (oxybutynin) is only meant to be used on the skin. Don't ingest (swallow) this gel medication.
- Gelnique (oxybutynin) contains alcohol and is flammable (easily set on fire). Avoid open flames and smoking until the gel is completely dried. Store your container in a cool, dry place away from heat.
Common questions about Gelnique
It can take up to a week of using Gelnique every day for the medication to reach a steady level in the blood and for you to feel its full effects. Effects of the medication start to wear off after 24 hours, which is why you need to apply it once a day for it to work.
You can shower one hour after applying Gelnique; it won't affect how much medication gets into your system. Researchers didn't study whether it's okay to shower less than an hour after applying it, so just wait to be safe.
The Gelnique Pump has been discontinued in the United States. It's unclear why Allergan discontinued this version, but Gelnique gel packets contain the same active ingredient.
Yes, Gelnique can spread to other people with vigorous skin-to-skin contact (more than just a light touch). If you're going to have close skin-to-skin contact with another person, make sure you're wearing clothing over the medicated area to avoid transferring Gelnique to the other person and causing them to have side effects.
Anticholinergic medications like Gelnique can make you tired and drowsy. Drinking alcohol can make the drowsiness worse, which can make activities like driving very dangerous.
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Risks and warnings for Gelnique (oxybutynin)
Gelnique (oxybutynin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening of other conditions
- Risk factors: Bladder or gut blockage | Ulcerative colitis (UC) | Taking bisphosphonates | Myasthenia gravis
Because of how this medication works and its possible side effects (e.g., difficulty urinating, difficulty emptying contents from your stomach), Gelnique (oxybutynin) can make symptoms of other medical conditions worse. For this reason, it should be used carefully if you have trouble urinating, certain conditions that affect your stomach and intestines (e.g., ulcerative colitis, acid reflux), or myasthenia gravis (a nerve condition). Taking bisphosphonate medications for bone loss with Gelnique (oxybutynin) can also worsen digestive tract issues, since bisphosphonates can cause or worsen throat problems. Make sure your provider knows your full medical history before you start Gelnique (oxybutynin).
Swelling of face, lips, or tongue (angioedema)
Although it's more common with oral oxybutynin tablets, angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or other organs) can happen at any time while you're using Gelnique (oxybutynin). This can make it difficult to breathe in more serious cases. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any head or neck swelling that doesn't go away.
Skin sensitivity
In a clinical study, 1 out of 200 people developed skin hypersensitivity (intolerance) to Gelnique (oxybutynin). If you notice severe skin changes shortly after applying this medication, stop using it and contact your provider.
Hallucinations, drowsiness, and confusion
- Risk factors: Using more Gelnique (oxybutynin) than prescribed
Gelnique (oxybutynin) can cause side effects like confusion, drowsiness, and hallucinations. These side effects usually happen when you first start using this medication. Tell your provider if you notice any of these side effects, as you might need to use less Gelnique (oxybutynin) or a different medication.
Spread by skin-to-skin contact
Gelnique (oxybutynin) can spread to another person through vigorous skin-to-skin contact where you applied the medication. If you're going to have bare skin-to-skin contact with another person, make sure you're wearing clothing over the medicated area so that you don't transfer the medication to the other person and cause them to have side effects.
Flammable
Gelnique (oxybutynin) is alcohol-based and can easily catch fire. Avoid smoking or getting close to open fire until the gel is completely dry.
Gelnique (oxybutynin) dosage
Typical dosage for Gelnique (oxybutynin)
Apply 1 packet of gel to your stomach, upper arms, shoulders, or thighs once daily. Apply the gel to a different area of the body each time.
Interactions between Gelnique (oxybutynin) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Potassium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bupropion
- Clozapine
- Donepezil
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Methacholine
- Quetiapine
- Revefenacin
- Scopolamine
- Secretin Human
- Tiotropium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Gelnique (oxybutynin) cost?
$385.96
Gelnique (oxybutynin) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Gelnique (oxybutynin) will not be safe for you to take.
- Urinary retention (cannot empty bladder fully)
- Gastric retention (cannot empty the stomach fully)
- Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
What are alternatives to Gelnique (oxybutynin)?
