Two medicines, side by side
Oxybutynin vs tolterodine
Oxybutynin and tolterodine are both labeled for overactive bladder. Drugs@FDA records approvals of oxybutynin since 1975 and of tolterodine since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.048 per oxybutynin 5 mg tablet and $0.268 per tolterodine tart ER 2 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Oxybutynin's other strengths are brand-only: $2.74 per unit (Oxytrol for women 3.9 mg/24hr).
Check it at the source: the oxybutynin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 16, 2025); the tolterodine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 9, 2026).
Highlights of the oxybutynin record
Oxybutynin (Ditropan) · label of December 16, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsOxybutynin chloride extended-release tablets are a muscarinic antagonist indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. Oxybutynin chloride extended-release tablets are also indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients aged 6 years and older with symptoms of detrusor overactivity associated with a neurological condition (e.g., spina bifida). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 16, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.048 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the tolterodine record
Tolterodine (Detrol) · label of February 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules are an antimuscarinic indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. ( 1 ) Tolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency [ see CLINICAL STUDIES ( 14 ) ].
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 25, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.268 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Oxybutynin label of December 16, 2025, Tolterodine label of February 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do oxybutynin and tolterodine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class cholinergic muscarinic antagonists.
Generics: oxybutynin since 1988; tolterodine since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Oxybutynin | Tolterodine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Overactive bladder | Overactive bladder |
| Pharmacologic class | Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist | Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Oxybutynin relaxes bladder smooth muscle. Oxybutynin chloride exerts a direct antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle and inhibits the muscarinic action of acetylcholine on smooth muscle. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 16, 1975 | March 25, 1998 |
| First generic approved | November 14, 1988 | September 25, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 39 labelers | 14 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.048 per tablet (Oxybutynin 5 mg tablet) | $0.268 per capsule (Tolterodine tart ER 2 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -27% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 37,662 | 12,383 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Oxybutynin label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS The concomitant use of oxybutynin with other anticholinergic drugs or with other agents which produce dry mouth, constipation, somnolence (drowsiness), and/or other anticholinergic-like effects may increase the frequency and/or severity of such effects.
Tolterodine label, drug interactionsConcomitant use with other anticholinergic agents may increase the frequency and/or severity of dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic pharmacological effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to oxybutynin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions