Oxybutynin is used primarily to treat which condition?

• A. Urge incontinence due to overactive bladder
• B. Overflow incontinence
• C. Stress incontinence
• D. Prostate enlargement

Answer: (A)

Oxybutynin works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the bladder detrusor muscle, which reduces involuntary bladder contractions. This increase in bladder storage capacity lowers urgency and urge incontinence, making it a primary treatment for urge incontinence due to detrusor overactivity (overactive bladder). It isn’t used for overflow incontinence, where the issue is impaired emptying and retention, and can actually worsen retention. It also doesn’t treat stress incontinence, which stems from pelvic floor weakness, nor prostate enlargement (BPH), which is managed with alpha blockers or 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitors.