Gelnique (oxybutynin) reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.
Gelnique is a quick-drying, colorless topical gel used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination and incontinence (urine leakage).
Gelnique may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Gelnique if you are allergic to oxybutynin, or if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your digestive tract, if you have decreased urination, or if you are unable to urinate.
Before using Gelnique, tell your doctor if you have urination problems, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, severe constipation, ulcerative colitis or other intestinal disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or slow digestion.
Do not bathe, shower, swim, use a hot tub, or exercise vigorously for at least 1 hour after applying Gelnique.
It is best to cover treated skin areas with clothing after the gel has dried completely. This will help prevent getting this medicine on your other skin or on other people.
Gelnique gel is flammable. Avoid using near open flame, and do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin. This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Gelnique.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while you are using Gelnique.
Before using Gelnique
You should not use Gelnique if you are allergic to oxybutynin, or if you have:
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untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma;
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a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines); or
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if you have decreased urination or are unable to urinate.
To make sure you can safely use Gelnique, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
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glaucoma;
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liver disease;
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kidney disease;
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myasthenia gravis (a nerve-muscle disorder);
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severe constipation;
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an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis; or
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a stomach disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or slow digestion.
FDA pregnancy category B. Gelnique is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether oxybutynin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Gelnique without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How should I use Gelnique?
Use Gelnique exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Gelnique comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying this medication. Also wash the skin area to be treated, using a mild soap or cleanser. Allow the skin to dry completely before applying Gelnique.
Gelnique can be applied to the skin on your stomach, upper arm, shoulder, or thigh.
Do not apply the gel to recently shaved skin, open wounds, scars, tattoos, or irritated or broken skin. Do not apply to the breasts or genital areas.
Apply the gel to a different place on any of these skin areas each time you use it. Do not apply the gel to the same skin two days in a row.
Each packet of Gelnique gel is for one use only. Throw away the empty packet in a place where children and pets cannot get to it. Tear open the sealed packet and empty the entire contents into your hand. You may also empty the packet directly onto the treatment area.
Do not bathe, shower, swim, use a hot tub, or exercise vigorously for at least 1 hour after applying this medication.
It is best to cover treated skin areas with clothing after the gel has dried completely. This will help prevent getting this medicine on your other skin or on other people. If someone else does come into contact with a treated skin area, they should wash the contact area right away with soap and water.
Gelnique gel is flammable. Avoid using near open flame, and do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin. Keep Gelnique in its sealed packet until you are ready to use it.
Store the Gelnique packets at room temperature away from heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or excited, warmth or tingly feeling, fever, thirst, hot and dry skin, uneven heart rate, vomiting, and urinating less than usual or not at all.
What should I avoid?
Avoid applying lotions, powders, or oils to the skin you plan to treat with Gelnique. These other skin products can make it harder for your skin to absorb oxybutynin, and it may not work as well. You may apply Gelnique to skin that has been treated with sunscreen.
Avoid getting Gelnique in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water. This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Gelnique.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while you are using Gelnique.
Gelnique side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Gelnique: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Gelnique and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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fever with hot, dry skin;
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uneven heart rate;
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pain, burning, or other difficulty when urinating; or
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severe itching, redness, pain, rash, or other irritation where the medication was applied.
Less serious Gelnique side effects may include:
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mild skin irritation where the gel was applied;
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cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
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dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
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headache;
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blurred vision;
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dry mouth;
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constipation; or
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nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Gelnique?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
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atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin),
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dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm Scop);
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bladder or urinary medicines such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
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bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
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irritable bowel medicines such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Hyomax), or propantheline (Pro Banthine);
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medication to treat osteoporosis or Paget"s disease of bone, such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate (Aredia), risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), tiludronate (Skelid), or zoledronic acid (Zometa, Reclast); or
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ulcer medications such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) or mepenzolate (Cantil).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Gelnique. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
