Lyrinel XL (oxybutynin XR) is the extended-release version of an anticholinergic medication used to help patients manage symptoms of overactive bladder. Less commonly it may be used for other purposes, such as to help patients manage kidney stone symptoms or those who sweat excessively.

Parents can utilize Lyrinel XL in children age 5 and up. The condition should be diagnosed by a doctor prior to starting treatment, as in children there are many potential causes for urination difficulties and Lyrinel XL will not help with all of them.

Children, the elderly, and patients with frail health will likely need dosage modifications.

How Lyrinel XL Helps

Symptoms of overactive bladder typically affect older adults, and more women experience such symptoms than men. There are always exceptions, however, and both genders of nearly any age may experience such symptoms, which include:

• Urgent urination
• Frequent urination
• Incontinence
• Nighttime incontinence
• Frequent waking up to urinate

Symptoms are often the result of abnormal bladder contractions or spasms. Even if there is little urine in the bladder, a contraction can cause a sudden urge to urinate and may override the body's ability to hold urine in.

Lyrinel XL eases these symptoms by relaxing muscles around the bladder, reducing frequency and urgency of urination, as well as incontinence and nighttime urination. Within one week of starting treatment most patients find symptoms significantly minimized or eliminated altogether. Patients who don't experience significant improvements after a week or two of taking Lyrinel XL should consult a doctor; it's likely that bladder spasms are not contributing to the problem.

Note that, while Lyrinel XL is effective for most patients, it is not a cure. Symptoms will likely return when treatment ends, unless other corrective measures have been taken.

Treatment Overview

Lyrinel XL comes in tablets. As tablets are designed to slowly release medication throughout the day, they must not be split, crushed, dissolved, or otherwise damaged; they should be swallowed whole. Patients who are reluctant or unable to swallow whole tablets may be interested in the fast-acting version of this product; fast-acting tablets can be split or crushed and mixed in soft foods.

A full glass of fluid is recommended with each dose, though food is optional. If gastrointestinal side effects are experienced taking tablets with food may help.

In otherwise healthy adults treatment is typically:

• Start with 5 mg once per day.
• After at least one week, dosage may be increased to 10 mg taken once per day.
• Dosage may, if needed, be further increased in 5 mg increments per week up to 20 mg per day.
• Do not exceed 20 mg per day.

And in otherwise healthy children age 5 and up:

• Start with 5 mg once per day.
• Dosage may be increased, if needed, in 5 mg increments per week up to 15 mg per day.
• Do not exceed 15 mg per day.

For best results tablets should be taken at the same time each day.

Patients who are very elderly or in frail health may be started on lower doses of 2.5 mg per day, which is best accomplished with fast-acting tablets; Lyrinel XL is not available in doses lower than 5 mg. If no adverse effects develop in the first week or two of use dosage may be increased to 5 mg doses, at which time a patient can switch to Lyrinel XL.

Potential Side Effects

Side effects from Lyrinel XR are rare, with only about 5 percent of patients experiencing the more common ones, which include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Stomach discomfort
• Dry mouth
• Flushing

The above are not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive, in which case a doctor should be consulted. Other medications, such as an NSAIDs for headaches or fiber supplements for constipation, may also help, though patients are advised to double-check with a doctor regarding interactions. Many of the above, if experienced at all, are transient, meaning they'll stop occurring in the first week or two of treatment as the body adjusts.

Rarely patients may experience more serious side effects, which definitely warrant medical attention:

• Difficulty urinating
• Painful urination
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Vision changes
• Difficulty breathing
• Anxiety
• Confusion

Patients should also be aware that the medication can significantly reduce the amount of sweat produced. As sweat helps naturally keep the body cool, patients should avoid hot temperatures until effects are known. Patients with fevers should also take care and/or be monitored closely; medical attention may be called for.

Effects on unborn or nursing babies are unclear. Though not thought to be harmful, as a general rule it is inadvisable if treatment can be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding.