Ditropan
® (
oxybutynin chloride) is a prescription medication used to treat
bladder problems caused by nerve problems (known medically as neurogenic bladder). In particular, Ditropan is approved to treat the following neurogenic bladder symptoms:
- Painful urination (known as dysuria)
- Frequent urination (known as urinary frequency)
- Sudden, frequent urges to urinate (known as urinary urgency)
- Leaking accidents (known as urinary incontinence or urge incontinence).
Ditropan is also approved to treat bladder problems due to
overactive bladder muscles (caused by
spina bifida or other neurological problems) in children age six years and older.
Ditropan is made by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Generic Ditropan is made by a few different manufacturers.
Ditropan belongs to a group of drugs known as antimuscarinic or anticholinergic medications. Ditropan works for bladder problems by blocking specific receptors (called muscarinic receptors) in the bladder, helping to relax the muscles of the bladder. Since an overactive bladder is often due to bladder muscle
contractions that are too frequent and uncontrollable, Ditropan can help relieve many symptoms of bladder problems.