Oxybutynin and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Puf...
• August 15, 2016

For Hyperhidrosis "I have suffered excessive sweating most of my life. It started when I was around 6 years old. My hands and feet were constantly wet, I recall my mother calling me a frog, lol. A few years ago, it became out of control. I had sweat dripping down my back, my hair, my head, my groin, literally, my whole body was constantly wet. Omg, when I went on oxybutynin 5 mg, it stopped. I've been on it for 3 weeks and am beginning to slightly sweat again, which means I will go onto 10 mg. The side effects I get are a very dry mouth and drowsiness, however, I cut back my dosage and slowly increased it. I found this to limit the side effects. This medication has changed my life. I feel normal and can wear my normal clothes and now feel the cold and am so excited to wear a coat."

• She...
• March 22, 2016

For Hyperhidrosis "Fifteen years ago, I was desperate to find relief for my severe hyperhidrosis (hands and feet). I discovered oxybutynin, and it has literally changed the course of my life. I started with one 5 mg dose in the morning and one 5 mg dose at night. The side effects (drowsiness, foggy brain, dry mouth) were a little much for me, so I cut my morning dose in half. This medication has allowed me to feel like a normal person and to engage in activities that I used to withdraw from (public speaking, shaking hands, wearing flip-flops, etc.). I tried Botox (very little effect), acupuncture, drysol. Nothing has been nearly as effective as the oxybutynin. It's a game-changer!"

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Hyperhidrosis "Been prescribed this oxybutynin only a week ago to take twice daily a dose of 2.5 mg (total 5 mg). I have had excessive sweating for years but had other health concerns that were more a priority. Only recently got around to discussing it. I've found this is working so far, but I am quite sensitive to all medications due to a slow metabolism (according to my psychiatrist), meaning I'm more prone to side effects. So I initially became really drowsy and felt quite strange in myself. I've also found myself feeling an unbearable sense of impending dread that I can't shift. I wonder if it is a side effect to be agitated or uneasy. Will need to weigh up pros and cons to see if I should continue treatment."

• Jes...
• June 23, 2015

For Hyperhidrosis "I have been on the medication for nearly ten years, and it has changed my life! However, if I miss a dose, the sweating comes back. I take two a night because it makes me extremely drowsy. Another side effect I have noticed is that it can make me feel anxious. But overall, it's the only thing that controls my hands and feet from sweating!"

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2012

Oxybutynin for Urinary Frequency "Using for bladder problems (inflexible bladder muscles). Lengthens the time between needing to go and stops the spasms while trying to hold on. Only the maximum dose really does much. Makes me drowsy and makes my mouth so dry it gets sore. It's better than nothing at all."

• Sim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2016

Oxybutynin for Urinary Frequency "Medicine made me feel very ill, nausea, extreme drowsiness, slept twelve hours after just two doses. Had difficulty swallowing and it felt like there were sticks in my throat. The drug did not seem to work that well but stopped taking due to the side effects."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2016

For Hyperhidrosis "This medication has helped me so much. Over the last few years, my sweating became really excessive on my face and neck. My neck just gushed sweat. All areas of my life were affected, and I was humiliated on a daily basis. I heard about an oral medication for hyperhidrosis, so I went online to do some research, and I learned about oxybutynin, then went to the doctor who gave me a prescription for 5 mg 2x daily. I think it took 2 or 3 days to see a difference, and it was a big difference. I was literally overjoyed. I don't mind the side effects (dry mouth and drowsiness), but for me, the oxybutynin does not take the sweating completely away. I'm now on 10 mg 2x daily. I also notice it stops working about halfway through my day."

• Don...
• July 26, 2015

For Hyperhidrosis "On it for almost 2 weeks. First week tried 15 mg (2 at night and 1 around 2 pm). Had huge improvement on head sweats by the end of the week 7/10, feet was a bit better 4/10 although noticed was getting drowsy/lowering of my heart rate during the day. Opted to do just 10 mg (2 at night) and side effects much better and sweating issue still getting better. Feet still a bit warm although not the dripping mess they were. Social and professional impact 10/10 so is looking like a definite alternative to the ETS knife. Hoping feet will improve over the coming weeks!"

• Jes...
• June 18, 2017

For Hyperhidrosis "I've been suffering from sweaty palms and feet since I was really little, but now at 15, it has really started to impact my life. As a child, I thought it was normal to have clammy hands and feet, but as I hit puberty, it got very excessive and my armpits started to sweat heavily as well. It never really bothered me until high school, as people would make remarks which hurt me as I couldn't help it. It was embarrassing and made me constantly self-conscious. I started taking Lyrinel 1 week ago and I sweat like a normal person! My hands and feet are dry, unless I'm clenching them for a long time, they'll get a bit clammy. My pits barely sweat. This stuff is a lifesaver, although it makes me drowsy sometimes and gives me a dry throat."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2018

For Urinary Frequency "I took Oxybutynin 5 mg for 6 weeks for my overactive bladder. While it curbed that in great fashion, it created side effects that got worse and worse. I experienced drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and blurred vision. I stopped taking this medication. One last note, if you take a depression med (in my case, Amitriptyline), those meds can actually increase these side effects, take this medicine with caution!"

• Got...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

For Urinary Frequency "This drug was the best one I have ever taken for overactive bladder. The only other drug I have taken was Vesicare. It helped some with the side effects. The effectiveness of Vesicare was marginal at best. However, the side effects of Oxybutynin for me were intolerable. It made me extremely sleepy, had difficulty driving, no appetite, and fatigue beyond belief. I was only on this drug for one week. These side effects lasted a little over a week but are now very slowly going away. I am switching to generic Detrol and hoping for the best."

• con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2020

Oxybutynin for Dysuria "When my sister was almost 7 years old, she was prescribed a 14-day supply of the liquid version of Ditropan. She was complaining about pain during urination, and after a urine test at the doctor's, it was decided that Ditropan would be the best treatment. The liquid version of Ditropan she had was raspberry flavored. When on the medication, caution needs to be used during exercise, hot weather, and other activities. Ditropan may also cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision."

• ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2017

For Urinary Frequency "I have very minor urinary leakage, mostly with coughing or sneezing, but I also have to get up 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom. My doctor put me on oxybutynin 15 mg ER. The pharmacist said to take it at night before bed due to the side effect of drowsiness. I took one pill and had insomnia all night. The next day, I was groggy, dizzy, foggy-headed, with a dry nose, dry throat, and dry mouth. The dryness was so bad my nose and throat actually ached and had a stinging sensation. The grogginess and extreme dizziness got worse as the day went on. I will never take this drug again, even in a smaller dose. If it does all this with just one pill, what is it doing to my body over the long term? I will stick to pads and trips to the bathroom. Watch what I drink...no caffeine."

• ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2017

For Urinary Frequency "I have very minor urinary leakage, mostly with coughing or sneezing, but I also have to get up 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom. My doctor put me on oxybutynin 15 mg ER. The pharmacist said to take it at night before bed due to the side effect of drowsiness. I took one pill and had insomnia all night. The next day, I was groggy, dizzy, foggy-headed, with a dry nose, dry throat, and dry mouth. The dryness was so bad my nose and throat actually ached and had a stinging sensation. The grogginess and extreme dizziness got worse as the day went on. I will never take this drug again, even in a smaller dose. If it does all this with just one pill, what is it doing to my body over the long term? I will stick to pads and trips to the bathroom. Watch what I drink...no caffeine."

• Dru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2016

For Hyperhidrosis "Suffer from excessive sweating on my face, and when in a hot climate, it spreads to my back too. I begged for help from my GP, who tried me on propantheline, which left me in agony due to difficulty passing urine and a cystitis-type reaction after 3 days of use. I was then passed to the dermatology department at the hospital, who just said nothing could be done! Oh, the wonder of the UK's NHS!! I was told to try propanano, which again did not work. So, I did my own research and went 'cap in hand' back to my GP and BEGGED to try oxybutynin. He said there was no solid evidence it works and that it's just a placebo for hyperhidrosis. Anyway, he gave in and said I could try 5 mg a day. I started it 5 days ago, and I feel better, so I'm upping the dose to 10 mg (at night), as it makes me drowsy."

• det...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Dysuria "I had to stop taking this medication because of the side effects that I had. I had flu-like symptoms, nervousness, anxiety, depression, and sleepiness during the day. It did help my symptoms a little, but I had to stop taking it and was only on the medication for less than 1 week."

• Slf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2021

For Urinary Frequency "I was on this medication for OAB and urinary frequency, particularly at night. On this, I was able to ‘hold it’ longer rather than needing to rush to the nearest bathroom, but the urge was still there, if that makes sense. At nighttime, the urge (it must be habit now) would be there to go, and I’ve recently found that my urinary frequency may be directly linked to my anxiety, so instead, I am being treated for that. It works, and it’s worth a try, but I experienced grogginess and a very dry mouth to the point where I did feel quite sick because of it. I’d take these tablets on days when I’d have exciting things planned, but I’d be too tired and grumpy when it came to actually doing them! But I’m sure it’s different for everyone. I understand this medication was not right for me because it wasn’t treating the actual problem I have. The tablets do what they say they do, it’s just about giving it a go and seeing if it works for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2016

For Hyperhidrosis "I really wanted this to work for my hyperhidrosis; however, I only took 2.5 mg last night before bed, and today I have found the side effects intolerable: dry eyes, headache, drowsiness, lethargy, dry nose. So, unfortunately, I can't continue on and see if it's effective in reducing my sweating."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2009

For Urinary Frequency "I'm very pleased with this medicine. It makes me really sleepy, and when I wake up in the morning, I'm still groggy. Otherwise, it's a very good drug."