solifenacin

Generic Name: solifenacin (sol ee FEN a sin)

Brand Names: VESIcare

What is solifenacin?

Solifenacin reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.

Solifenacin is used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination, and incontinence (urine leakage).

Solifenacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about solifenacin?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to solifenacin, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using solifenacin, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, liver disease, kidney disease, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Solifenacin can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

Solifenacin can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. There are many other medicines that can interact with solifenacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as hot and dry skin, extreme thirst, severe stomach pain or constipation, pain or burning when you urinate, or if you stop urinating.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking solifenacin?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to solifenacin, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

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  untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma;

  
  


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  a stomach disorder causing delayed emptying; or

  
  


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  if you are unable to urinate.

  
  

Before using solifenacin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

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  glaucoma;

  
  


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  liver disease;

  
  


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  kidney disease;

  
  


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  a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or

  
  


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  a history of "Long QT syndrome."

  
  

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take solifenacin.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether solifenacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take solifenacin?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with water.

Solifenacin can be taken with or without food.

Store solifenacin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

See also: Solifenacin dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include severe constipation or stomach pain, or urinating less than usual or not at all.

What should I avoid while taking solifenacin?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Solifenacin can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

Solifenacin can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Solifenacin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using solifenacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  hot, dry skin and extreme thirst;

  
  


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  severe stomach pain, or constipation for 3 days or longer;

  
  


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  pain or burning when you urinate; or

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  dry mouth;

  
  


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  dry eyes, blurred vision;

  
  


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  mild constipation;

  
  


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  nausea, mild stomach pain or upset;

  
  


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  dizziness, tired feeling; or

  
  


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  fever, sore throat, body aches, or other flu symptoms.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Solifenacin Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Incontinence:

5 mg orally per day.

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Frequency:

5 mg orally per day.

What other drugs will affect solifenacin?

The following drugs can interact with solifenacin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

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  arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

  
  


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  chloroquine (Arelan) or halofantrine (Halfan);

  
  


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  droperidol (Inapsine);

  
  


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  HIV/AIDS medicine such as nelfinavir (Viracept) or ritonavir (Norvir);

  
  


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  an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), or troleandomycin (Tao);

  
  


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  narcotic medication such as levomethadyl (Orlaam), or methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);

  
  


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  medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), or thioridazine (Mellaril);

  
  


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  heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace); or

  
  


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  an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), and others.

  
  

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with solifenacin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More solifenacin resources

• Solifenacin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Solifenacin Dosage
• Solifenacin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Solifenacin Drug Interactions
• Solifenacin Support Group
• 32 Reviews for Solifenacin - Add your own review/rating

• solifenacin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Solifenacin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Solifenacin Succinate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• VESIcare Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Vesicare Consumer Overview

Compare solifenacin with other medications

• Overactive Bladder
• Urinary Incontinence

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about solifenacin.

See also: solifenacin side effects (in more detail)