Who can and cannot take oxybutynin

Most adults and children aged 5 years old and over can take oxybutynin.

Oxybutynin is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to take it if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to oxybutynin, any of its ingredients or any other medicine
• have myasthenia gravis, a rare long-term condition that causes muscle weakness
• have an eye problem called acute angle closure glaucoma
• have difficulty peeing, or an enlarged prostate
• have heart problems, including a very fast heart rate or high blood pressure
• have thyroid, kidney or liver problems
• have dementia or cognitive impairment – oxybutynin may make this worse
• have problems digesting food, or have severe constipation
• have heart problems, including long QT syndrome, heart failure, irregular or slow heartbeats or cardiomyopathy
• have a severe stomach or bowel condition, including a rare complication of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease called toxic megacolon
• have a hiatus hernia
• have nerve damage that affects blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, pooing, peeing and digestion (autonomic neuropathy)
• have digestive problems such as heartburn and acid reflux
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding