Solifenacin

Solifenacin

Solifenacin is a generic medication used to manage overactive bladder (OAB), which includes symptoms such as frequent and urgent urination, incontinence, and increased nighttime urination. It comes in tablet form with strengths of 5 mg and 10 mg. The typical adult dosage starts at 5 mg once daily, potentially increasing to 10 mg based on medical advice and patient response. It’s not recommended for children under 18 or individuals with severe kidney or liver issues. Solifenacin works by reducing involuntary bladder contractions, increasing bladder capacity, and alleviating symptoms of OAB. Patients should take care not to crush or chew the tablets and continue the medication as prescribed to effectively manage symptoms.

Product Overview

Solifenacin is specifically designed to treat symptoms associated with overactive bladder, a condition that can significantly affect daily life. These symptoms include urgent and frequent urination, involuntary leakage (incontinence), and the need to urinate more often than usual. Solifenacin helps by relaxing the bladder muscles, which reduces the urgency and frequency of urination & increases the amount of urine the bladder may hold. The medication is available in two dosages: 5 mg and 10 mg tablets, which should be taken orally. For adults, the starting dose is typically 5 mg once daily, but depending on the individual’s response and medical guidance, it may be increased to 10 mg once daily. 

It is important to note that Solifenacin is not suitable for children under 18 years old, and special precautions should be taken for patients with kidney or liver problems. In cases of severe kidney disease or moderate to severe liver disease, the dosage should not exceed 5 mg per day. Solifenacin falls under the class of drugs known as urinary antispasmodics. It operates by inhibiting involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle by blocking specific receptors that cause these contractions. This action helps to prevent premature urination and increase bladder capacity, thereby reducing the symptoms of OAB.

Patients taking Solifenacin should adhere strictly to prescribed dosages and not alter or discontinue the medication without consulting a healthcare provider. Missing a dose should be handled by taking it as soon as possible, but if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose to avoid doubling up. Overdosing can lead to severe complications, so immediate medical attention is necessary if you ever suspect an overdose. Storage of Solifenacin should be at room temperature, away from moisture & heat, to maintain its efficacy. People taking this drug should be aware of potential interactions with other drugs, especially antifungals like ketoconazole, which can increase the effects and side effects of Solifenacin. Lifestyle adjustments, such as limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, may also be recommended to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce symptoms.

What Are the Uses of Solifenacin?

Solifenacin is prescribed to manage symptoms associated with overactive bladder (OAB). Symptoms treated include:

• Frequent urination is more often than is typical for the individual.
• Urgent and uncontrollable needs to urinate, which may lead to accidents or leakage.
• A sudden and intense urge to urinate immediately.

What Are the Forms & Strengths of Solifenacin?

It comes in the form of an oral tablet and is available in 2 strengths:

• Solifenacin 5 mg tablet
• Solifenacin 10 mg tablet

What Are the Recommended Dosage of Solifenacin?

Dosage for Overactive Bladder (OAB)

• Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older):
  • Typical Dosage: The standard dosage is 5 mg, taken once daily.
  • Dosage Increase: Depending on your response and tolerance to the medication, your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg once daily.
• Child Dosage (ages 0–17 years): Solifenacin has not been studied in children and is not recommended for use in individuals under 18 years of age.

Special Dosage Considerations:

• For People with Kidney Problems: If you have severe kidney disease, you should not take more than 5 mg per day.
• For People with Liver Problems:
  • If you have moderate liver disease, do not exceed 5 mg per day.
  • If you have severe liver disease, you should not use this medication.

[Note: Remember, these recommendations may vary from person to person. Discuss it with your doctor, and they’ll customize your dosage accordingly.]

How to Use Solifenacin?

• Tablet Form: Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets. Solifenacin should be taken whole.
• Long-term Treatment: Solifenacin is intended for long-term use. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions closely because stopping the medication or not taking it correctly can lead to serious consequences.
• Consequences of Not Taking Solifenacin: If you stop taking the drug or do not take it as directed, your symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), such as frequent and urgent urination, are likely to continue without improvement.
• Prescription Refills: Solifenacin prescriptions can be refilled without needing a new prescription each time. Your primary caregiver will indicate the number of refills allowed on your original prescription. Ensure you understand how many refills you have and schedule a consultation with your doctor before your last refill if you need to continue the medication.

[Note: Your doctor will decide the right amount for you based on your condition, following guidelines and studies on the drug. They’ll adjust it as needed over time.]

How Does Solifenacin Work?

Solifenacin is part of a group of medications known as urinary antagonists. These drugs function similarly and are commonly used to manage similar health issues. Under normal circumstances, as your bladder fills up, it expands. When it is completely expanded, it signals your brain that it’s time to urinate. To urinate, your bladder muscles contract to start the urine flow. In people with overactive bladder (OAB), these bladder muscles contract too soon before the bladder is fully expanded. This early contraction leads to frequent urges to urinate. Solifenacin helps by preventing these premature contractions of the bladder muscles. It also allows the bladder to hold more urine. This action helps control when urine is released and reduces the symptoms of OAB, such as urgent and frequent urination.

Important Safety Information for Using Solifenacin

What Are the Side Effects of Solifenacin?

More Common Solifenacin Side Effects: Solifenacin can impact your central nervous system, which might lead to side effects such as headaches, confusion, hallucinations, and drowsiness, especially when you start taking the medication or increase your dose. It’s crucial to avoid operating heavy machinery or driving until you understand how solifenacin affects you. Other side effects might occur as well, but they are generally mild and may resolve on their own within a few days or weeks. If these effects persist or become severe, consult your doctor or pharmacist. The more frequently reported side effects of solifenacin include:

• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Urinary tract infections

Serious Solifenacin Side Effects: If you experience serious side effects from taking solifenacin, contact your doctor immediately. In cases where symptoms appear life-threatening or you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 right away. Serious side effects of Solifenacin oral tablets may include:

• Heat stroke and exhaustion. Signs may include:
  • Swelling of your lips, throat, face, or tongue that makes it hard for you to breathe
  • Decreased sweating
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Severe itching
  • Skin rash, hives, or swelling
  • Increase in body temperature (fever)
  • Nausea

[Note: Remember, this list may not cover all possible side effects. Always consult with your healthcare giver for medical advice about side effects.]

Are There Any Warnings for Solifenacin? 

Solifenacin comes with important warnings to ensure safe use:

• Other Medical Conditions:
  • Do not use solifenacin if you have urinary retention, gastric retention, or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma due to the potential worsening of these conditions.
  • Use with caution if you have a heart condition known as QT prolongation, which can cause irregular heartbeats.
• Swelling (Angioedema) Warning: In rare instances, solifenacin may cause severe swelling of the tongue, face, lips, or throat, which can interfere with breathing. If this occurs, you may seek emergency medical help immediately by visiting an emergency room or by calling 911.
• Dementia Warning: Studies have shown that medications like solifenacin, which belongs to the anticholinergic drug class, may increase the risk of developing dementia. Discuss this potential risk with your doctor.
• Allergy Warning: Solifenacin can trigger a severe allergic reaction. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swelling of your face, lips, throat, tongue, or hives, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911. Do not take this medication again if you have previously had an allergic reaction to it, as re-exposure could be fatal.
• Alcohol Interaction Warning: Consuming alcohol while taking solifenacin may worsen bladder symptoms. If you drink alcohol, discuss with your doctor how this might affect your condition.

What Are the Solifenacin Precautions?

For People With Certain Health Conditions:

• Bladder Problems: Do not use solifenacin if you have urinary retention. Use this medication carefully if you have difficulty emptying your bladder, as it may increase your risk of developing urinary retention.
• Stomach Problems: Avoid solifenacin if you have gastric retention. Be cautious if your stomach empties slowly or with delay; using this drug might raise your risk of gastric retention.
• Narrow-Angle Glaucoma: If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, use solifenacin carefully. Do not use this medication if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Liver Issues: Solifenacin is metabolized in the liver. If your liver function is compromised, the drug might accumulate in your body, increasing the likelihood of side effects. Use this drug with caution, and your doctor might need to adjust your dose and monitor your liver function.
• Kidney Issues: Since solifenacin is processed by the kidneys, impaired kidney function can lead to higher levels of the drug in your body, heightening the risk of side effects. Use this medication with caution, and your doctor might lower your dose and check your kidney function.
• Irregular Heart Rate: Exercise caution when using solifenacin if you have a condition called QT prolongation, which is an irregular heart rate.

Warnings for Other Groups:

• Pregnant Women: Solifenacin falls under Category C for pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor. Use this medication during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential dangers to the unborn child. This caution is due to:
  • Insufficient studies in humans to determine how the drug might affect the fetus.
  • Animal studies showing severe effects on the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
• Breastfeeding Women: It is unclear if solifenacin passes into breast milk. If it does, it could potentially cause side effects in a breastfed child. Discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You may need to choose between discontinuing breastfeeding or stopping the medication.
• Children: The safety and effectiveness of solifenacin for children under 18 years of age have not been established.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose of Solifenacin?

• If you forget to take a dose of solifenacin, take it as soon as you remember.
• However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, you can skip the dose that you missed & proceed with your regular dosing schedule.
• Don’t take an extra dose or double doses to make up for the one you missed.

[Note: If you have missed a dose of your medication and are unsure about when to take the next one, immediately consult your doctor or pharmacist.]

What to Do If You Overdose on Solifenacin?

If you believe you have taken too much solifenacin, seek immediate help by contacting a poison control center or heading to the emergency room. Prompt action is important to manage any potential overdose effects effectively.

[Note: If you consumed more than the recommended dose, get medical help right away or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.]

How to Store a Solifenacin?

• Ideal Storage Temperature: Keep solifenacin at room temperature, ideally at 77°F (25°C). It can be temporarily stored in temperatures ranging from 59°F-86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Avoid Heat: Protect the medication from high temperatures.
• Humidity Precautions: Do not store solifenacin in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms, to prevent degradation.

[Note: Discuss with your healthcare professional about the proper disposal of any unused medicine and any questions you may have regarding its storage.]

What Medications Interact with Solifenacin?

Solifenacin oral tablets can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you might be taking. An interaction occurs when a substance affects how a medication works, which can be harmful or prevent the medication from working effectively.

Managing Interactions:

• To avoid interactions, it’s crucial for your doctor to manage all your medications carefully.
• Always inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you are taking.
• For specific information on how solifenacin could interact with other substances you are taking, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Example of a Known Interaction:

• Antifungal Medication: When taken with solifenacin, the antifungal drug ketoconazole can increase the levels of solifenacin in your body, potentially leading to increased side effects. If you are taking ketoconazole, your solifenacin dosage should not exceed 5 mg per day.

What Are the Other Solifenacin Interactions?

• Diet and Beverage Interactions: It’s advisable to moderate your consumption of certain beverages if you’re taking solifenacin. Drinks like tea, coffee, caffeinated sodas, and alcohol may worsen the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).
• Impact on Coordination and Alertness: Solifenacin may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Because of these potential effects:
  • Avoid operating heavy machinery or driving until one comprehends how solifenacin affects them.
  • Be cautious when changing positions, such as moving from sitting to standing, as solifenacin can increase the risk of dizziness or fainting spells.
• Alcohol Interaction: Consuming alcohol while taking this medication can intensify side effects such as dizziness or fainting. It’s important to limit or avoid alcohol to reduce these risks.

[Note: This isn’t a complete list, and there could be other drugs that interact with Solifenacin. Make sure to tell your doctor about any prescription, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products you’re taking.]

What Are the Solifenacin Alternatives?

For individuals dealing with overactive bladder (OAB), the muscles in the bladder wall sometimes contract prematurely. A class of medications known as anticholinergics can help manage this issue. These drugs function by blocking the nerve signals that trigger these untimely muscle contractions, potentially increasing bladder capacity and reducing the urgency to urinate. Examples of Anticholinergic Drugs Include:

• Detrol (tolterodine)
• Toviaz (fesoterodine)
• Detrol LA (tolterodine)
• Enablex (darifenacin)
• Ditropan (oxybutynin)
• Gelnique (oxybutynin)
• Ditropan XL (oxybutynin)
• Oxytrol (oxybutynin)
• Sanctura (trospium)
• Vesicare (solifenacin)

Medications for Improving Bladder Emptying in Men

In addition to anticholinergics, doctors often prescribe medications that relax the muscles at the bladder, neck, and prostate. This helps improve the emptying of the bladder. These medications include:

• Cardura (doxazosin)
• Hytrin (terazosin)
• Cardura XL (doxazosin)
• Uroxatral (alfuzosin)
• Flomax (tamsulosin)
• Rapaflo (silodosin)

Additionally, capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, is being studied for its potential to target the nerves of the bladder, which could help in treating bladder control issues. 

[Note: Your doctor will choose what’s best for you. Don’t use any of these alternative medications without consulting your healthcare provider. Taking them by yourself may cause serious side effects.]

Solifenacin Cost & Coupons

Solifenacin is often prescribed for managing symptoms of overactive bladder. To make this medication more affordable, especially for US residents, consider buying Solifenacin online from Canada. Canadian pharmacies like Polar Bear Meds offer competitive pricing. When ordering from Polar Bear Meds, you can use the “WELCOMEPB10” Solifenacin coupon code at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your first purchase. Additionally, joining the referral program may provide further savings, including free coupons for future orders. This option ensures that Solifenacin is both cost-effective and accessible for those in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should not take solifenacin?

Before starting solifenacin, it is important to discuss your medical history with your primary caregiver, especially if you have certain health conditions. You should not take solifenacin if you have any of the following conditions:

• Narrow-Angle Glaucoma: This is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss. Solifenacin may worsen this condition.
• Urinary Retention: If you have trouble emptying your bladder completely or at all, solifenacin could exacerbate this issue.
• Gastric Retention: If your stomach empties slowly, taking solifenacin could slow this process even further.

Why take solifenacin at night?

Solifenacin is absorbed into the bloodstream within 3 to 8 hours after it is taken. Taking solifenacin at night is particularly effective because it aligns the peak concentration of the medication in the blood with the nighttime. This timing can significantly improve symptoms of overactive bladder that occur at night, such as nocturia (the need to wake up and urinate multiple times during the night). Therefore, taking solifenacin before bedtime can help reduce these disruptions and promote better sleep.

Is solifenacin bad for the kidneys?

Solifenacin needs to be used carefully if you have kidney issues. Research has shown that in patients with severe kidney impairment, solifenacin stays in the body longer, and its concentration in the blood (area under the curve, or AUC) is higher. This means the drug is processed more slowly, which could increase the risk of side effects. Therefore, doctors need to be cautious when prescribing solifenacin to patients with kidney problems and may adjust the dosage accordingly to ensure it is safe and effective.

Can you stop solifenacin suddenly?

It is important not to stop taking solifenacin or change the dosage without first consulting your doctor. Abruptly discontinuing solifenacin can cause your condition to worsen. Additionally, since solifenacin can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, you should be cautious when engaging in these activities until you are certain how the medication affects you. Always follow your doctor’s instructions regarding how to safely manage your dosage.

What foods should I avoid when taking solifenacin?

When taking solifenacin, it’s important to maintain a consistent intake of grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Significant changes in how much grapefruit you consume can affect how solifenacin works in your body. Additionally, you should limit your consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Both caffeine and alcohol can increase urination, which may reduce the effectiveness of solifenacin in treating symptoms of overactive bladder. Keeping these dietary considerations in mind can help ensure that solifenacin is as effective as possible in managing your condition.

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