Gelnique for overactive bladder (OAB)

by Diane K. Newman, RNC, MSN, CRNP, FAAN

What is Gelnique?

Gelnique is a drug that is used to treat overactive bladder (OAB)with urge incontinence, urgency and frequency that is a clear, colorless skin gel.

The gel delivers a drug called oxybutynin through the skin into your bloodstream. It is put on your skin once a day to lessen overactive bladder symptoms.

Gelnique carries the drug slowly through the skin and releases a constant amount into the bloodstream over a 24 hour period.

Drugs in pill form tend to cause spikes and dips in the amount of the drug in your body but gels may keep the amount of drug in your body at a more consistent concentration.

How to Use Gelnique

Gelnique should be put on the skin of your abdomen (stomach area excluding the area around the belly button), upper arms and shoulders, or thighs once a day. 

You should change the site of where you put the drug each time you apply Gelnique. Gelnique should never be taken by mouth.

• Wash your hands and the application site with warm, soapy water before you start and make sure your skin is dry. 
  
  
• Open a gel packet and squeeze all of the gel into your hand by squeezing from the bottom of the packet toward the opening.
  
  
• Rub Gelnique into your skin (at the sites mentioned above) until it dries. Do not put the gel on any area of your skin that is red, has a rash or has been recently shaved. While the alcohol in Gelnique helps it dry quickly, it can sting any red or irritated skin.
  
  
• Throw away any open packet so children and pets will not be exposed to the gel.
  
  
• Once you are done, wash your hands. 
  
  
• Do not swim, shower or bathe for at least one hour after putting on the gel. 
  
  
• If you plan to exercise enough to cause sweating, you should wait an hour before starting.

Side Effects that Might Occur with Gelnique Use

• You may experience itching, rash or redness at the application site. If this becomes uncomfortable or excessive, talk to your doctor about continuing with the treatment.
  
  
• Gelnique may cause sleepiness or blurred vision so care while driving or operating machinery is important until you know how the drug affects you. Drinking alcohol may make these side effects worse.
  
  
• Taking oxybutynin may decrease sweating enough for you to become overheated, develop a fever, or experience heat stroke in a very warm environment.
  
  
• The most common side effect of taking Gelnique is dry mouth but you may also experience headache, constipation, or dizziness. If you are already taking another drug that causes dry mouth, constipation or sleepiness, using Gelnique may make these side effects worse.
  
  
• Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1 800-FDA-1088.

If Someone Else is Exposed to Gelnique…

Make sure that the person washes the exposed area with soap and water as soon as possible after being exposed.

Gelnique is a new treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) that offers more consistant drug delivery than some other treatments.

References

Gelnique Patient Brochure, available online at http://www.gelnique.com/hcp/pdf/patient-brochure.pdf, accessed October 2, 2009.

Posted October 2009

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