Flavoxate, known by the brand name Urispas, is used to treat urinary problems associated with infection of the bladder, prostate or kidneys. Due to its functions, it is referred to as a smooth-muscle relaxant. Flavoxate is manufactured as a white, film-coated 100-milligram tablet for oral administration. The dosage—one or two tablets taken three or four times a day—is only recommended for people over 12 years of age, since the drug's safety and effectiveness has not been proven in younger patients.
The flavoxate drug is classified as an anticholinergic, which is a type of drug that inhibits acetylcholine, a chemical compound that occurs in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the central nervous system (CNS). Flavoxate specifically falls under a subcategory of anticholinergic agents known as antimuscarinic agents. It works by suppressing nerve impulses in the PNS, thus reducing involuntary movements and relaxing the muscles in the urinary tract. People who take flavoxate can then experience favorable results such as reduction of bladder/urinary tract pain and trips to the restroom for urination.
Before taking flavoxate, people should let their physicians know if they are allergic to the drug or any other types of pharmaceuticals. Doctors should also be informed of candidates who have or have had medical conditions such as glaucoma, gastrointestinal problems and ulcers, or who plan to have surgery. Patients should refrain from drinking alcohol when taking flavoxate, since the former can increase the drowsiness that the latter causes.
Certain side effects are associated with taking flavoxate. Some people may experience blurred vision, dry mouth or throat, eye pain or increased visual sensitivity to light, vomiting or upset stomach. More serious side effects include skin rashes, sped-up heartbeat, intense dizziness or drowsiness, fever or sore throat, and these symptoms indicate the need for an immediate visit to the physician. Elderly patients may also experience bouts of confusion.
Flavoxate is not an antibiotic, meaning that it does not cure the infection that can lead to urinary problems. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places it in pregnancy category B of the agency's classification of pharmaceutical risk to the fetus. This is one of the milder classifications, characterized by a failure to demonstrate significant harm. Pregnant women, however, should only use flavoxate when there is an absolute lack of alternatives and the drug is considered far more helpful than harmful.