Solifenacin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Solifenacin Tablet (solifenacin succinate) is a prescription anticholinergic medicine for adults used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, including sudden strong urges to urinate, leaking or wetting accidents, and frequent urination. It works by relaxing the bladder muscle so it can hold more urine and contract less often. It is taken once daily and is available in tablet and liquid forms.

What is Solifenacin Tablet

Solifenacin succinate is a prescription medicine belonging to the anticholinergic, antimuscarinic, and muscarinic antagonist drug class. It is used by adults to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, including sudden strong urges to urinate, leaking or wetting accidents, and urinating too often.

Solifenacin Tablet uses

• Overactive bladder with urge urinary incontinence (strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents)
• Urgency (a strong need to urinate right away)
• Frequency (urinating often)
• Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (a bladder problem caused by brain, spinal cord, or nerve problems)

Benefits of Solifenacin Tablet

• Reduces urinary urgency
• Reduces frequent urination
• Helps control urge incontinence
• Relaxes the bladder muscle
• Helps improve bladder storage
• Treats symptoms of overactive bladder

How Solifenacin Tablet works

Solifenacin blocks certain nerve receptors in the bladder, which helps relax the bladder muscle so it can hold more urine and contract less often without you trying to go.

Solifenacin Tablet dosage

Take one tablet once a day. Take the tablet with water and swallow it whole; do not chew it. It can be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, start taking it again the next day; do not take two doses on the same day. This medicine is not approved for use in children.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (5 mg and 10 mg)
• Oral suspension (liquid), 1 mg/mL

Side effects of Solifenacin Tablet

Common

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Urinary tract infection
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Dizziness
• Dry eyes

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (hives, rash, swelling, severe itching, trouble breathing)
• Angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Inability to empty your bladder (urinary retention)
• Severe stomach pain or constipation lasting 3 or more days
• Heat exhaustion or heat stroke from decreased sweating
• Irregular heartbeat or QT prolongation

Warnings and precautions

This medicine can cause severe allergic reactions and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which can be life-threatening. Stop taking it right away and get emergency help if this happens.

Do not take this medicine if you are unable to empty your bladder, have slow stomach emptying, or have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.

This medicine may cause confusion, hallucinations, or drowsiness, especially after starting treatment or increasing the dose.

This medicine is not recommended for people at high risk of a heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation, or for those taking medicines known to cause this problem.

This medicine can cause dry skin from reduced sweating, which can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke in hot weather.

It is not known if this medicine could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you should take it while breastfeeding.

People with severe kidney problems should not take more than the lowest dose. People with moderate liver problems should not take more than the lowest dose, and this medicine is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.

It isn't known for certain how alcohol affects this medicine, but drinking alcohol may increase drowsiness.

This medicine can cause blurred vision or drowsiness. Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
• Keep the bottle closed
• Safely throw away medicine that is out of date or no longer needed
• Keep out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have hives, rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue, or trouble breathing.
• Call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or have not had a bowel movement for 3 or more days.
• Call your doctor right away if you cannot empty your bladder.
• If you take too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
• Get medical help right away if you feel very hot, dizzy, tired, or nauseous with decreased sweating, which could mean heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Alternatives

• Mirabegron
• Vibegron
• Oxybutynin