Clinical utility of transdermal delivery of oxybutynin gel via a metered-dose pump in the management of overactive bladder

Oxybutynin is an efficacious treatment for overactive bladder, but its clinical utility is hampered by relative intolerability due to its side effect profile. Over the last few years, various attempts to enhance the tolerability of oxybutynin by varying the drug delivery mechanism have been introduced and have included extended release, rectal suppository, transdermal patch, and gel formulations. The recent introduction of a transdermal oxybutynin gel in a sachet form has been complemented by the administration of gel in a metered dose pump. This paper reviews the available evidence for transdermal oxybutynin gel and, where it exists, for the pump-based gel. The clinical utility of the pump-based gel is discussed.