INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Since its emergence in 1967, flavoxate has been used to treat several urogenital tract disorders irrespective of the etiology of the underlying disease, but the main indications have been overactive bladder and urge symptomatology. With the advances in anticholinergic drugs, its popularity has decreased in recent decades. METHODS: In this review we summarize the current status of flavoxate in urogynecological practice focusing on its historical background, mechanism of action, efficacy, clinical experiences, outcomes, side effects and tolerability. We reviewed and analyze all the data and draw the major conclusions. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library using the keyword "flavoxate", and summarized review articles, original studies and case reports published from 1970 to 2013. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We conclude that the minimal side effects and high tolerability of flavoxate make it worthy of consideration for the treatment of several clinical urogynecological conditions. It deserves more clinical studies to assess its efficacy as no randomized controlled trials have been performed with flavoxate during the last decade. More studies and novel drug formulations may reveal or improve its efficacy in daily practice.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Since its emergence in 1967, flavoxate has been used to treat several urogenital tract disorders irrespective of the etiology of the underlying disease, but the main indications have been overactive bladder and urge symptomatology. With the advances in anticholinergic drugs, its popularity has decreased in recent decades. METHODS: In this review we summarize the current status of flavoxate in urogynecological practice focusing on its historical background, mechanism of action, efficacy, clinical experiences, outcomes, side effects and tolerability. We reviewed and analyze all the data and draw the major conclusions. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library using the keyword "flavoxate", and summarized review articles, original studies and case reports published from 1970 to 2013. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We conclude that the minimal side effects and high tolerability of flavoxate make it worthy of consideration for the treatment of several clinical urogynecological conditions. It deserves more clinical studies to assess its efficacy as no randomized controlled trials have been performed with flavoxate during the last decade. More studies and novel drug formulations may reveal or improve its efficacy in daily practice.
Authors: Paul Abrams; Linda Cardozo; Magnus Fall; Derek Griffiths; Peter Rosier; Ulf Ulmsten; Philip van Kerrebroeck; Arne Victor; Alan Wein Journal: Neurourol Urodyn Date: 2002 Impact factor: 2.696
Authors: Y Kimura; Y Sasaki; K Hamada; H Fukui; Y Ukai; Y Yoshikuni; K Kimura; K Sugaya; O Nishizawa Journal: Int J Urol Date: 1996-05 Impact factor: 3.369
Authors: Debra E Irwin; Ian Milsom; Steinar Hunskaar; Kate Reilly; Zoe Kopp; Sender Herschorn; Karin Coyne; Con Kelleher; Christian Hampel; Walter Artibani; Paul Abrams Journal: Eur Urol Date: 2006-10-02 Impact factor: 20.096
Authors: W F Stewart; J B Van Rooyen; G W Cundiff; P Abrams; A R Herzog; R Corey; T L Hunt; A J Wein Journal: World J Urol Date: 2002-11-15 Impact factor: 4.226