What is the use of Solifenacin (VESICARE)?

From the Guidelines

Solifenacin (brand name Vesicare) is an antimuscarinic medication primarily used to treat overactive bladder syndrome, with a standard dosage of 5mg once daily, which can be increased to 10mg daily if needed and tolerated, as recommended by the American College of Physicians and supported by high-quality evidence from studies such as 1 and 1. The medication works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the bladder, reducing involuntary bladder contractions and increasing bladder capacity, thus decreasing urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence episodes. Some key points to consider when prescribing solifenacin include:

• Patients should take solifenacin with water, with or without food, at approximately the same time each day.
• Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and drowsiness, as reported in studies such as 1 and 1.
• The medication should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, gastrointestinal obstructive disorders, or significant bladder outflow obstruction, as noted in guidelines such as 1 and 1.
• Elderly patients and those with renal or hepatic impairment may require dose adjustments, as suggested by studies such as 1 and 1.
• Improvement in symptoms typically begins within 1-2 weeks, but full therapeutic effect may take up to 4 weeks, as reported in studies such as 1 and 1.
• Patients should maintain adequate hydration while taking solifenacin but avoid excessive fluid intake, especially before bedtime, as recommended by guidelines such as 1 and 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Solifenacin succinate tablets are indicated for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Solifenacin succinate tablets are a muscarinic antagonist indicated for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Solifenacin succinate tablets are a prescription medicine for adults used to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder : Urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents Urgency: a strong need to urinate right away Frequency: urinating often

The use of Solifenacin (VESICARE) is for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder with symptoms of:

• Urge urinary incontinence
• Urgency
• Urinary frequency 2 2 2

From the Research

Use of Solifenacin (VESICARE)

• Solifenacin is a bladder-selective, muscarinic (M(1) and M(3)) receptor antagonist used to treat overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
• It is effective in improving symptoms of OAB, including urinary urgency, frequency, incontinence, and nocturia 3, 4, 5, 6
• Solifenacin has been shown to increase functional bladder capacity and improve health-related quality of life in patients with OAB 3, 4, 6
• The recommended dose of solifenacin is 5 mg once daily, which can be increased to 10 mg once daily if tolerated 6, 7
• Solifenacin is generally well tolerated, with common adverse events including dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Efficacy of Solifenacin

• Solifenacin 5 and 10 mg once daily has been shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in reducing urgency, incontinence, micturition frequency, and nocturia 3, 4, 5, 6
• Solifenacin has also been shown to increase volume voided per micturition and improve symptoms of OAB in patients with urge incontinence 3, 4, 5, 6
• Long-term safety, efficacy, tolerability, and persistence with treatment have been established in an open-label 40-week continuation study 7

Safety and Tolerability of Solifenacin

• Solifenacin is considered safe and tolerable, with a favorable tolerability profile and a low incidence of dry mouth, especially at the 5 mg starting dose 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
• Common adverse events associated with solifenacin include dry mouth, constension, and blurred vision 3, 4, 5, 6, 7