Oxybutynin is a licensed treatment for overactive bladder — so in other words, it reduces your urge to urinate. But because of the way it works, it has the added side effect of lowering your sweat production too. As a result of this, clinicians started to prescribe it ‘off label’ (outside of its licence) for hyperhidrosis — a condition where you produce a level of sweat that’s disruptive and distressing. It often mainly affects the hands, feet, face and armpits.
Even though there’s a lot of evidence that it works for this, a clinician will still need to make sure that it’s right for you before they prescribe it. They might see if you’ve tried other treatments for hyperhidrosis first, like prescription deodorant and lifestyle changes. You’ll usually only take Oxybutynin if these haven’t helped you enough.
How does Oxybutynin work?
Oxybutynin is in a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. Anticholinergic drugs stop an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (ACh) from working properly. This helps with hyperhidrosis, because the ACh enzyme controls the rate at which you sweat.
People with hyperhidrosis may have an overactive response to ACh. So by blocking ACh from working, your nerves stop stimulating the skin to produce as much sweat.
This can relieve your symptoms and give you your freedom back.
What doses of Oxybutynin are there?
Oxybutynin comes in both 2.5mg and 5mg tablets. It’s an off-label treatment, so there aren’t official guidelines yet, but you’ll likely take a 5mg dose two or three times a day.
If the dose you’re on doesn’t fully control your hyperhidrosis, speak to our clinician. They’ll advise you on whether to raise it until you find the treatment plan that suits you best. Don’t raise, lower or completely stop your medication without first talking to a clinician.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
OxybutyninOxybutynin Hydrochloride
How to take Oxybutynin
Always follow the advice of your clinician when taking Oxybutynin. Try to take your tablets at the same times each day. Setting alarms might be useful to help you remember. Swallow the tablet whole, don’t crush it or chew it.
You can take Oxybutynin with or without food, but taking it with a meal might mean it’s absorbed more slowly. (Though it can help if the tablets sometimes upset your stomach.)
Don’t drink grapefruit juice with Oxybutynin, as it can cause side effects and change how the medicine is absorbed.
How long does it take Oxybutynin to work?
Oxybutynin is absorbed really quickly after you take it. It reaches maximum plasma levels in your blood after less than an hour. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll feel the full effects from it right away. Sometimes it takes a few weeks before it becomes most effective.
In one study, 93.4% of people taking oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis saw an improvement after six weeks. So it’s worth sticking with for a while, even if you don’t see a huge change immediately.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Oxybutynin?
If you take too much Oxybutynin, seek medical attention. Take the packaging of the medication with you so they can see how much you’ve taken.
If you forget to take Oxybutynin at your usual time, take it when you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, just skip the missed tablet and carry on as normal. Don’t double your dose to make up for missing one.
Oxybutynin can sometimes cause a dry mouth. If you experience this, make sure you stay hydrated to ease your symptoms. This is especially important in hot weather. Chewing gum can also help.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
OxybutyninOxybutynin Hydrochloride
OxybutyninOxybutynin Hydrochloride
FAQ: Oxybutynin
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Oxybutynin different from other treatments for hyperhidrosis?
Answer:
Unlike a lot of treatments for hyperhidrosis, Oxybutynin is a tablet. So instead of treating the symptoms, it attacks the root cause of your sweating. If you’ve tried powerful antiperspirants and found they didn’t work, Oxybutynin tablets might be more effective for you.
It’s also less invasive and less expensive than some other treatments for hyperhidrosis. If you have severe hyperhidrosis, you may consider botox injections in your armpits or surgery to remove your sweat glands. It might be best to try a tablet treatment first.
Is Oxybutynin similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Lyrinel XL is another off-label treatment for hyperhidrosis. Like Oxybutynin, it comes as a tablet and it has the active ingredient oxybutynin. So they both work in a very similar way.
Unlike Oxybutynin, Lyrinel XL is a branded treatment. So it’s likely to be more expensive than Oxybutynin. The other main difference between Lyrinel XL and Oxybutynin is that Lyrinel XL is an extended-release treatment. So you won’t have to take a tablet as often for it to work.
How effective is Oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis?
Answer:
Oxybutynin has been shown to greatly reduce the symptoms of hyperhidrosis and improve quality of life. One study found that 74% of people treated with Oxybutynin reported increased quality of life after six weeks, while no one described a lower quality of life.
One randomised controlled trial into the efficacy of Oxybutynin on hyperhidrosis found that 74% of people with excess sweating in the armpits and hands saw a “moderate” or “great” improvement after six weeks. 92% of participants with hyperhidrosis affecting the feet saw significant improvement.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that after two weeks of treatment, people’s symptoms improved from 2.8 to 1.5 on the Hyperhidrosis Severity Scale on average. This is an improvement from “sweating is barely tolerable and frequently interferes in daily activities” to “sweating is never noticeable and causes no trouble in daily activities”.
So even though Oxybutynin isn’t a licensed treatment for hyperhidrosis yet, there’s a lot of evidence to say that it’s a very safe and effective treatment for it.
Does Oxybutynin make you sleepy?
Answer:
Yes, Oxybutynin can make some people feel tired, especially when they first start taking it. If this happens to you, make sure not to drive or use heavy machinery if you’re feeling drowsy. You should also avoid alcohol or any other medications that might make you drowsy
For most people, the tiredness will get better within a few days of taking Oxybutynin. If it doesn’t improve or it’s bothering you, talk to your clinician. If you’ve ordered from us, log in and send us a message. Our clinicians will help you find the right treatment for you.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Oxybutynin?
Answer:
It’s best to limit alcohol or avoid it entirely while you’re taking Oxybutynin tablets. Both alcohol and Oxybutynin can make you drowsy, dizzy and clumsy. When you use them together, the effects can be much more intense.
Alcohol can also make hyperhidrosis worse. Both drinking alcohol and being hungover can cause excessive sweating. So drinking alcohol might lower the efficacy of your treatment.
Do I need a prescription for Oxybutynin?
Answer:
Yes, you can only get Oxybutynin on prescription. If you’re interested in using it for hyperhidrosis, remember that it’s an off-label treatment.
This means that you’ll need to talk to a clinician to get a prescription, but they may also want to make sure it’s right for you and tell you how to take it for your condition. They might also check that you’ve tried lifestyle changes and topical treatments like strong antiperspirants first.
Why should I buy Oxybutynin online with Treated?
Answer:
Hyperhidrosis can be tough. It’s not just uncomfortable, it can really knock your confidence and interfere with daily life. It’s also hard to find the right help. If you’ve tried searching for a solution and you’re still struggling, just talk to us.
Talk to us about your health and we’ll let you know if Oxybutynin could be right for you. Then you can pick a subscription option and have it delivered straight to you, on your terms.
Any time you have a question or need advice, our clinicians are here to help. All you need to do is log in to your account and send us a message.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
A short review of drug–food interactions of medicines treating overactive bladder syndrome. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 38(6), pp.1350-1356.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of oxybutynin for the initial treatment of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 55(6), pp.1696-1700.
Oxybutynin reduces sweating in depressed patients treated with sertraline: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, p.407.
