Flavoxate blocks L-type calcium (Cav1.2) channels and acts an antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Through these actions, flavoxate inhibits contraction of detrusor myocytes and prevents activation of the micturition center in the brain, resulting in muscle relaxation (IC50 = 2 μM for relaxation of human bladder precontracted by K+). Flavoxate has been studied clinically for the management of overactive bladder, for its potential to relax urinary bladder smooth muscle in order to suppress the micturition reflex.
