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Gelnique

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Treatment & Uses
Side Effects
Treating Overdose
Safety Information
Before Using

Generic Name: oxybutynin (topical) (OX i BUE ti nin)
Brand Names: Gelnique

What is Gelnique?

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Gelnique (oxybutynin) reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.

Gelnique is a quick-drying, colorless topical gel used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination and incontinence (urine leakage).

Gelnique may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Gelnique

Do not use Gelnique if you are allergic to oxybutynin, or if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your digestive tract, if you have decreased urination, or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using Gelnique, tell your doctor if you have urination problems, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, severe constipation, ulcerative colitis or other intestinal disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or slow digestion.

Do not bathe, shower, swim, use a hot tub, or exercise vigorously for at least 1 hour after applying Gelnique gel.

It is best to cover treated skin areas with clothing after the gel has dried completely. This will help prevent getting this medicine on your other skin or on other people.

Gelnique gel is flammable. Avoid using near open flame, and do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin. Oxybutynin can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of oxybutynin.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while you are using Gelnique.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Gelnique?

Do not use Gelnique if you are allergic to oxybutynin, or if you have:

untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma;
a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines); or
if you have decreased urination or are unable to urinate.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Gelnique:

bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
glaucoma;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
myasthenia gravis (a nerve-muscle disorder);
severe constipation;
an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis; or
a stomach disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or slow digestion.

FDA pregnancy category B. Gelnique is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether oxybutynin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Gelnique without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Gelnique?

Use Gelnique exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Gelnique comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying this medication. Also wash the skin area to be treated. Use a mild soap or cleanser.

Each packet of Gelnique gel is for one use only. Throw away the empty packet in a place where children and pets cannot get to it.

Tear open the sealed packet and empty the entire contents into your hand. You may also empty the packet directly onto the treatment area. Gelnique can be applied to the skin on your stomach, upper arm, shoulder, or thigh.

Apply Gelnique gel to a different place on any of these skin areas each time you use it. Do not apply the gel to the same skin two days in a row.

Do not bathe, shower, swim, use a hot tub, or exercise vigorously for at least 1 hour after applying this medication.

It is best to cover treated skin areas with clothing after the Gelnique gel has dried completely. This will help prevent getting this medicine on your other skin or on other people. If someone else does come into contact with a treated skin area, they should wash the contact area right away with soap and water.

Gelnique gel is flammable. Avoid using near open flame, and do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin. Keep Gelnique gel in its sealed packet until you are ready to use it. Store the packets at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or excited, warmth or tingly feeling, fever, thirst, hot and dry skin, uneven heart rate, vomiting, and urinating less than usual or not at all.

What should I avoid while using Gelnique?

Avoid applying lotions, powders, oils to the skin you plan to treat with Gelnique. These other skin products can make it harder for your skin to absorb oxybutynin, and it may not work as well. You may apply Gelnique gel to skin that has been treated with sunscreen.

Avoid getting this medication in your mouth, nose, or eyes. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water. Do not apply Gelnique gel to recently shaved skin, open wounds, or irritated or broken skin. Oxybutynin can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of oxybutynin.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while you are using Gelnique.

Gelnique side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Gelnique and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever with hot, dry skin;
uneven heart rate;
pain, burning, or other difficulty when urinating; or
severe itching, redness, pain, rash, or other irritation where the medication was applied.

Less serious Gelnique side effects may include:

mild skin irritation where the gel was applied;
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
headache;
blurred vision;
dry mouth;
constipation;
stuffy nose, sore throat; or
nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Gelnique?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
mepenzolate (Cantil);
other forms of oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol);
other bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); or
irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Gelnique. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Gelnique.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.