Gelnique gel – Information, Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Drug trade Name: Gelnique

Category: Antimuscarinic or Anticholinergic

Generic Name: oxybutynin chloride (topical)

Introduction and Quick Information:

Gelnique is prescribed to treat an overactive bladder (a health condition that causes frequent and urgent urination or inability to control urination). Gelnique belongs to a  group of medications known as antimuscarinic or anticholinergic medication. It acts on bladder and treats related problems by blocking specific receptors called muscarinic that are found in the bladder. This helps reduce stress from muscles and makes them relaxed. It also relieves many symptoms of bladder-related problems.

Is Gelnique Approved by U.S. FDA?

United States food and drug administration (FDA) approved Gelnique on February 26, 2003, for the treatment of overactive bladder. Visit FDA web address if you want to know more about Gelnique FDA approval and related information.

Usage and Benefits of Gelnique:

Gelnique is a prescription medicine approved to treat an overactive bladder, Gelnique is first overactive bladder medicine available in gel form that can be directly applied to the skin. Most people believe that an overactive bladder condition is part of the process of aging and has no effective cure. However, this is not completely true. There are various effective medical treatments for condition of overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder symptoms  include contractions of the bladder muscles that are usually uncontrollable and too frequent. Apart from this, this health discomfort can be caused by other medical problems as well and an enlarged prostate is one of them. Remember, if overactive bladder is caused by an enlarged prostate then you must not take Gelnique to treat these specific bladder problems as this may not be safe. In fact, this medicine may make bladder symptoms worse.

Gelnique has not been prescribed and approved by FDA for use in children. This medicine is only approved for people above the age of 18 years.

On certain occasions, your healthcare provider may prescribe this medicine for other health issues listed in the medication guide.

Gelnique Side Effects:

Gelnique side effects can make things worse for you as the side effects are often quite severe and lead to other health discomforts as well. You should talk to your doctor separately regarding the adverse reaction of this medicine.  Ask your doctor to explain you possible adverse reactions of Gelnique. Here are some medically known common Gelnique side effects-

• blurred vision
• nausea, vomiting
• uneven heart rate
• dizziness, drowsiness
• pain, burning
• fever with hot, dry skin
• difficulty while urinating
• redness, severe itching
• pain, rash
• headache
• tired feeling
• dry mouth
• stomach cramps, diarrhea
• constipation
• cold symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing,
• mild skin irritation where the gel was applied
• heat stroke
• worsening of glaucoma
• difficulty swallowing

This is not a complete list of side effects; there are some other health issues that can occur as side effects. If you experience any of these side effects, seek for immediate medical assistance to prevent yourself from adverse reactions of Gelnique.

General Recommended Dosages of Gelnique:

Gelnique is not available in oral form and injections form; hence you do not need to follow any strict dosing schedule because this medicine comes in skin gel form which can be applied when needed.  It is available in one standard dose which is applied to the skin directly. Here is general information about dosing of Gelnique-

• Gelnique is available in skin gel form that is applied to the skin directly. Doctors prescribe the use of one pack every day.
• When applying Gelnique skin gel to abdomen area, it is imperative to avoid areas around the navel.
• For one hour of applying Gelnique skin gel, avoid exercising, bathing, showering, swimming, or immersing the application area in water.
• Select one particular area to apply this medicine to keep medicine level even in blood.
• For better results, take medicine as it is prescribed for you to treat overactive bladder
• If you have doubt regarding the dosage of Gelnique, you must talk to healthcare provider or doctor.

These are some basic tips that you should follow to take Gelnique safely and effectively. Apart from these tips, your doctor may suggest you some basic lifestyle changes that will decrease the risk associated with dosages.

In Case I Miss The Dose?

Missed dose can occur and can lead to some health discomforts as well. In missed dose condition, apply the missed dose as soon as you remember and do not skip the dose if it is not too late. Do not try to apply extra amount of Gelnique skin gel to make up for the missed application.

In Case I Take Overdose?

Over application of this medicine can lead to some discomforts which can worsen your condition for which you are taking this medicine. Seek medical attention should you experience any of these over application symptoms.

 Here are some over application symptom of Gelnique medicine such as thirst, feeling, warm or tingly, hot & dry skin, uneven heart rate, vomiting, fever, urinating less than usual or not at all.

Drug Interactions of Gelnique:

Gelnique can potentially interact with other drugs or medication that further leads to some reactions. Here are some drugs that can potentially interact with Gelnique.

• other overactive bladders such as tolterodine, solifenacin, flavoxate, darifenacin
• bronchodilators such as tiotropium, ipratropium
• atropine, methscopolamine, scopolamine, dimenhydrinate
• belladonna, benztropine,
• glycopyrrolate
• mepenzolate
• other oxybutynin medicine such as Ditropan, Oxytrol
• irritable bowel medications such as hyoscyamine, propantheline, dicyclomine, Cystospaz

This drug interaction list is not complete as there are some other drugs that can potentially interact with Gelnique. Some of them have not been mentioned in this medication guide. Vitamins and herbal supplements are also included in drug interaction list. Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescribed or non-prescription medicine before strating to take this medicine. Do not start taking any new medicine without informing your doctor.

Lifestyle and Food Habits You Must Follow When on Gelnique:

Since this medicine is not available in oral or injection form hence you may not need to follow any strict diet routine. However, you need to avoid foods that can cause skin rashes and other allergies.  Apart from this, tell your doctor if you have any of these allergic reaction or health conditions such as-

• glaucoma
• kidney disease
• severe constipation
• bladder obstruction or other urination problems
• liver disease
• myasthenia gravis (a nerve-muscle disorder)
• an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis
• gastroesophageal reflux disease or slow digestion
• untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
• if you have decreased urination or are unable to urinate
• a blockage in your digestive tract

If you have any of allergic reaction or health condition, you may need a dose adjustment or a special medical test to apply this medicine safely.  Do not use this medicine if you have skin rash or allergy and tell your doctor to prescribe alternative of this medicine.

How Safe is Gelnique for Pregnant Women or Nursing Mothers?

It has been categorised in US FDA pregnancy category B. Gelnique is not known to cause harm to unborn babies. However, should tell your doctor if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant while taking this overactive bladder medicine. There is no known medical evidence that can show that this medicine is harmful to babies. As this medicine is in gel form there is no question of it getting passed in the milk of the mother. So it won’t get transferred to the baby when the mother breast feeds the baby.

Complications and Conditions Possible Due to Prolonged Use of Gelnique:

Do not use Gelnique longer than doctor’s recommendation as it could lead to severe allergic reactions.  This medicine is only prescribed by doctors and you should not formulate your own drug schedule. Apply this medicine as exactly as it was prescribed for you to treat overactive bladder and related conditions.

Availability of Gelnique:

Gelnique is an FDA approved drug and available at every government and FDA approved drug stores where you can buy a wide range of drugs (only FDA approved drugs) at a reasonable price tag.