Flavoxate Dosage Recommendations for Adults
The recommended dose of flavoxate for adults is 100-200 mg taken 3-4 times daily, with a total daily dose of 300-800 mg. 1
Standard Dosing Regimen
- The FDA-approved dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age is one or two 100 mg tablets taken 3 or 4 times daily 1
- With improvement of symptoms, the dose may be reduced to maintain symptom control 1
- Flavoxate is not recommended for children under 12 years of age as safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in this age group 1
Higher Dosage Considerations
- Clinical studies have investigated higher daily doses of 800-1200 mg (200 mg four times daily or 400 mg three times daily) with potentially improved efficacy 2, 3
- A comparative study found that a daily dosage of 1200 mg was significantly superior to 600 mg in controlling uninhibited detrusor contractions, though both doses showed similar clinical success 3
- In a large observational study, patients taking flavoxate four times daily (800 mg) showed better results compared to those taking it three times daily (600 mg) 4
Efficacy and Safety
- Flavoxate has demonstrated effectiveness in treating urgency and urge incontinence, with studies showing complete symptom resolution in 67-82% of patients 2
- The medication is generally well-tolerated with adverse events occurring in only about 1-2% of patients 2, 4
- Higher doses (1200 mg daily) have shown excellent tolerability in clinical studies, with no increase in side effects compared to standard doses 2, 3
Important Considerations
- Flavoxate is a smooth muscle relaxant with anticholinergic properties 5
- Residual urine volume typically remains stable or decreases with flavoxate treatment, making it suitable for patients with concerns about urinary retention 4
- Some studies have questioned flavoxate's efficacy in elderly patients with uninhibited detrusor contractions, suggesting variable response in this population 6
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Clinical response should be assessed after 2-4 weeks of treatment 2, 3
- If symptoms improve, consider maintaining the effective dose or attempting dose reduction 1
- If inadequate response is seen at standard doses, consider increasing to the higher dose range (up to 1200 mg daily) as studies suggest improved efficacy with higher doses 3, 4