Solifenacin

Introduction To Solifenacin

Solifenacin is a muscarinic antagonist that is used in the treatment of overactive bladder. It relieves urinary symptoms like frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and inability to control urination.

Solifenacin is advised to take it in a dose and duration as per prescription. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the medicine as a whole without crushing or chewing it. You should not stop taking the medicine without consulting the doctor as it may lead to the worsening of your symptoms. The course of the treatment should be completed for better efficacy of the medicine.

Some common side effects of this medicine are dry mouth, constipation, nausea, and urinary tract infection. To avoid or cope up with the side effects, you must drink plenty of water. It may also lead to blurry vision or dizziness, so it is advised to avoid driving while on the medication.

Before receiving the treatment, inform your doctor if you are on any medication for any other health condition. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor prior to the treatment. Patients with liver or kidney disease must be cautious while receiving the prescription, and they must receive regular follow-ups as per the doctor's advice.

Uses of Solifenacin

  • Treatment of Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms

Benefits of Solifenacin

Treatment of Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms
Solifenacin helps to treat uncontrollable contractions (spasms) of the bladder muscles that causes frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and inability to control passing of urine. It also relieves painful, or frequent urination and reduces urgency to urinate that may occur with some infections of the urinary tract. This way it helps manage the overactive bladder symptoms efficiently.

Side effects of Solifenacin

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Sfenacin

  • Dryness in mouth
  • Constipation
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea
  • Upset stomach
  • Urinary tract infection

How to use Solifenacin

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Solifenacin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Solifenacin works

Solifenacin is an antimuscarinic. It works by relaxing muscles of the urinary bladder to prevent frequent, urgent or uncontrolled urination.

Quick tips

  • Solifenacin helps you to have better control over your urination by relaxing your bladder which increases its capacity to hold urine, thereby reducing the need to pass urine.

  • It may cause blurred vision, fatigue and sleepiness. Be cautious while driving or doing anything that requires focus.

  • It may cause dry mouth. Try chewing on sugar-free gum or taking small sips of water.

  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol or carbonated drinks as they can worsen your symptoms.

  • Do not stop taking this medicine if you do not notice an improvement in your symptoms as it may take some time for your bladder to adapt and your symptoms to improve.

Safety Advice

sdsPregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Solifenacin if I’m pregnant?

Solifenacin may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

sdsBreastfeedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Can I take Solifenacin if I’m breastfeeding?

Solifenacin is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby. Long-term use of Solifenacin might reduce milk production, and cause constipation, dry mouth and urine infection in the baby.

sdsAlcoholCAUTION

Is drinking alcohol while taking Solifenacin safe?

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Solifenacin. Please consult your doctor.

sdsDrivingUNSAFE

Can I drive after taking Solifenacin?

Solifenacin may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Solifenacin may cause blurred vision and sometimes sleepiness or tiredness which may affect your ability to drive.

sdsKidneyCAUTION

Can I take Solifenacin if I have/had kidney diseases?

Solifenacin should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Solifenacin may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Solifenacin is not recommended in patients undergoing kidney dialysis.

sdsLiverCAUTION

Can I take Solifenacin if I have/had liver diseases?

Solifenacin should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Solifenacin may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Solifenacin is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does Solifenacin start working right away?

Solifenacin may start showing improvement in symptoms of overactive bladder within a week. However, it may take up to 4 weeks to show maximum benefits. This may vary from person to person. Do not stop taking it even if considerable improvement is not observed, but consult with the doctor.

Q. When should Solifenacin be taken?

Solifenacin should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Generally, it is recommended that the medicine should be taken once daily, preferably at the same time. It can be taken with or without food.

Q. Can Solifenacin be taken by anyone?

Solifenacin is to be prescribed by the doctor only. This medicine is meant for adults. Its consumption should be avoided by patients who are allergic to Solifenacin, who are unable to empty their bladder (urinary retention), have delayed or slow emptying of the stomach (gastric obstruction), or have increased pressure in eyes with vision problems (narrow angle glaucoma).

Q. Does Solifenacin cause dementia?

In rare cases, Solifenacin may cause confusion and hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist) as side effects. It may also cause delirium in very few people (disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence). Though there are studies which support that Solifenacin may cause dementia, it is still to be confirmed.

Q. What should I avoid while on Solifenacin?

You should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you experience drowsiness or blurred vision while taking Solifenacin, as it can be dangerous.

Q. What is overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder is a condition where the nerve signals coming from the brain directs your bladder to empty even when it is not full. Consequently, this may affect a person’s ability to control bladder contractions. Rapid uncontrollable contractions cause symptoms of overactive bladder which are urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence (leakage).

Q. Do I need to take Solifenacin everyday?

Yes, Solifenacin needs to be taken once daily as advised by your doctor. You should not take it only when the symptoms are bothersome as it will not work properly. Furthermore, if you forget to take a dose, continue taking it next day as per the prescribed schedule. Additionally, it is advised to not take 2 doses on the same day.

References

Written By:

Dr Advikka Ridhy

Dr Advikka Ridhy

MBBS

RMO, Aster MIMS

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