What is Vesicare?

Vesicare, also known as solifenacin, is a prescription medication used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, including urinary urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. It is classified as an antimuscarinic agent, which works by relaxing the bladder muscles and reducing abnormal contractions. By taking Vesicare as prescribed by a healthcare professional, patients can experience improved bladder control and a reduction in OAB symptoms. Vesicare is available in tablet form and is typically taken once daily. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and consult a healthcare provider to ensure its safe and effective usage. While Vesicare is generally well-tolerated, common side effects may include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and difficulty urinating. Regular communication with a healthcare provider is advised to monitor treatment progress and address any concerns.

Vesicare
Solifenacin
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Solifenacin (Generic)
Solifenacin
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Prescription Required.

Product of Canada.

Shipped from Canada.

Prescription Required.Product of Canada.Shipped from Canada.

What is Vesicare (Solifenacin)?

Solifenacin, also known as VESIcare, treats symptoms of an overactive bladder. Incontinence, urgency, and frequency can benefit from treatment with Solifenacin. This drug is also used to treat a neurologic disorder that affects the bladder in conditions like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

How Vesicare Works

Solifenacin reduces spasms of the bladder muscles. Minimising the bladder’s muscle contractions decreases the feeling of urgency. Controlled bladder spasms helps to prevent frequency and incontinence. Solifenacin is in a class of drugs called muscarinic receptor antagonists.

 Storage, Dosage, How to use Vesicare

Use Vesicare once a day. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Swallow whole with water.

When using the liquid form of Vesicare, begin by shaking the bottle vigorously before measuring the dose. Should too much medicine be accidently withdrawn into the syringe, discard the extra amount. Do not return the unused medicine back into the bottle.

If not using the dosing syringe, use an accurate dose-measuring utensil or device. Do NOT rely on an unmarked spoon to pour the dose.

After taking the liquid form, follow with a glass of water or milk. Avoid food or anything other than water and milk to avoid the bitter aftertaste.

Store either form of Solifenacin, tablet or liquid, at room temperature with firmly closed lids. Keep the medication away from heat and moisture. Also keep this medication out of reach of children. This drug is for adults only. Throw away what is left of the liquid form after 28 days.

Dosage for adult urinary frequency and incontinence:

  • Initial dose: 5mg by mouth once a day
  • Maintenance dose: 5-10mg once a day

Vesicare is also approved for neurogenic detrusor overactivity ( NDO) in the ages 2-18 age population group. Follow your physicians instructions. Do NOT give to children without a prescription and care plan.

Side Effects

The most common side-effect is dry mouth.

Other common side effects are:

  • blurred vision
  • constipation
  • dry mouth, nose, eyes
  • painful urination
  • constipation
  • heat stroke
  • decreased perspiration
  • dry skin
  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • nausea
  • stomach discomfort
  • heartburn/dyspepsia
  • feeling hot

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop the medication and call the provider immediately:

  • severe stomach pain
  • constipation for greater than 3 days
  • pain or burning when urinating
  • little or no urination
  • headache
  • confusion
  • drowsiness
  • hallucinations
  • vision changes
  • eye pain
  • seeing halos around lights
  • dehydration symptoms
  • dizziness
  • increased thirst
  • increased feeling of being hot
  • hot skin
  • high potassium
  • tingling
  • chest pain
  • irregular heart rhythm
  • loss of movement
  • difficulty concentrating

Warnings & Precautions

WARNING: Vesicare is an anti-muscarinic agent, so this drug can impair driving. All anti-muscarinic substances can affect the performance of skilled activities and tasks.

WARNING: Do NOT use this drug if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Also do NOT use this drug if you are unable to urinate or if you have a digestive tract blockage.

WARNING: Overdosage of Vesicare can potentially result in severe anticholinergic effects. Typical anticholinergic effects are dry mouth, constipation, difficulty concentrating, and loss of ability to urinate. Read the serious side effect instructions, above, for further instruction.

Let your Prescribing Provider know if you have any of the following conditions:

  • glaucoma
  • liver disease
  • kidney disease
  • difficulty emptying the bladder
  • weak stream of urine
  • slow digestion
  • a blockage in the stomach or intestine
  • long QT syndrome
  • pregnant or plan to be pregnant

Depending on your individual conditions, the Provider can discuss whether this medication is a good fit for you.

Interactions

Many drugs interact with Vesicare. Report all drugs, including over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and herbal products. These drugs, listed below, may interfere with how well Vesicare works, or they may cause potentially severe adverse effects. The Provider can talk to you about alternatives or whether there is a different medication that is a better fit for your circumstances.

Of the 89 drugs that cause major interactions, some of the more common include:

  • amiodarone
  • amprenavir
  • arsenic trioxide
  • atazanavir
  • ceritinib
  • chloroquine
  • citalopram
  • clarithromycin
  • droperidol
  • erythromycin
  • haloperidol
  • ketoconazole
  • potassium citrate
  • procainamide

Many (353) drugs have moderate interactions with Vesicare. Here are some of the more commonly used that interact with Vesicoare:

  • azithromycin
  • atropine
  • albuterol
  • acetylcholine ophthalmic
  • belladonna
  • bisacodyl
  • butobarbital
  • cascara sagrada
  • castor oil
  • cimetidine
  • clomipramine
  • chlorpromazine
  • codeine
  • cyclosporine
  • ciprofloxacin
  • dexamethasone
  • doxepin
  • diltiazem
  • echinacea
  • famotidine
  • fluconazole
  • flutamide
  • fosphenytoin
  • glycerin
  • hyoscyamine
  • hydrocodone
  • guanidine
  • imipramine
  • imatinib
  • lactulose
  • levorphanol
  • magnesium hydroxide
  • metronidazole
  • nortriptyline
  • opium
  • oxytocin
  • senna
  • somatropin
  • tacrolimus
  • thalidomide
  • tramadol
  • vasopressin
  • verapamil
  • zafirlukast

Lastly, there are 19 drugs that can have minor interactions with Vesicare. Some of these are:

  • acetaminophen
  • digoxin
  • ipratropium nasal
  • methyclothiazide
  • nitrofurantoin
  • nitroglycerin
  • sulfamethoxazole

REMEMBER – The above is not a complete list of drug interactions. Discuss all drugs you routinely use with the Provider prescribing Vesicare.

Contraindications

KNOWN ALLERGY TO SOLIFENACIN

Review with the Provider any history of previous hypersensitive reactions to this drug or its ingredients.

UNTREATED NARROW-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Any patient at risk for narrow angle glaucoma or myasthenia gravis should NOT take Vesicare.

A STOMACH DISORDER THAT DELAYS EMPTYING

Severe gastro-intestinal conditions, such as toxic megacolon, are contraindicated for this medication.

UNABLE TO URINATE OR KIDNEY DISEASE

Urinary retention is a condition that is exacerbated by using Vesicare. If you are at risk for or have urinary retention, this drug is not advised. Patients with severe kidney disease or who are undergoing hemodialysis should NOT take this drug.

SEVERE LIVER DISEASE

Vesicare relies on a strong, healthy liver to metabolize Vesicare. Severe liver dysfunction contraindicates use of this medication. Discuss your liver condition with your Provider.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Very few pregnant or breastfeeding women have taken this medication. Animal reproduction studies have shown indirect harm to fetuses. Discuss the benefits versus risks with a Provider.

There are no published studies on the use of Vesicare in breastfeeding. However, the drug has been shown to be excreted through the milk of animals studied. Because Vesicare has a long half-life, an alternate drug may be preferable when breastfeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

People with narrow-angle glaucoma, or who have a long QT interval on ECGs cannot receive Solifenacin treatment. Also, if you have liver disease, kidney disease, slow digestion, a gastrointestinal blockage, or any difficulty emptying your bladder, let the Provider know. Solifenacin is not recommended for people with certain central nervous system conditions. And, if you plan to get pregnant or are already pregnant, do not take Solifenacin.

Vesicare helps those who are experiencing an overactive bladder, urgency, frequency, or incontinence of bladder. Vesicare is also used in patients with neurogenic bladder.

Yes. Caffeine in any form, such as coffee, energy drinks, or tea are not recommended. Caffeine has a strong diuretic effect. Any diuretic increases the need to urinate. An increased need to urinate interferes with the action of this medication. Castor oil and fish oils are also not recommended. Discuss your diet preferences with your Provider to be safe when making food choices.

Eat simple meals, avoiding spices or sweet, rich foods, which are more difficult to digest. Ask your Provider for a nutritional consult if problems persist. And if your nausea worsens, especially if you develop severe stomach discomfort or pain, discontinue the medication and call your Provider immediately.

Some herbs will also increase frequency of urination or irritate the spasming of the bladder in other ways. Herbs specifically noted to avoid during Solifenacin therapy include senna, cascara sagrada, and echinacea. Let your Provider know if you are taking these or other supplements. Herbs and supplements may cause Solifenacin to work less effectively or to rise to dangerous blood levels. Discuss all medications with your Provider to receive the benefits of Solifenacin.

Vesicre can have a strong bitter taste if mixed with food. If you wish to take it around mealtimes, plan to take your daily dose approximately 15-20 minutes prior to meals. Swallow the medication and follow it with a glass of water or milk only. Before eating, make certain the medication is thoroughly swallowed.

Skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses on the same day. Take the next scheduled dose at the regular time and day. It is important that Solifenacin occur at the same time each day. If you accidentally double dose, call emergency services or the Poison Hotline.

The half-life of Solifenacin ranges from 33 to 85 hours, which is why the drug must only be taken once a day.

Very few pregnant or breastfeeding women have taken this medication. Animal reproduction studies have shown indirect harm to fetuses. Discuss the benefits versus risks with your doctor.

There are no published studies on the use of Solifenacin in breastfeeding. However, the drug has been shown to be excreted through the milk of animals studied. Because Solifenacin has a long half-life, an alternate drug may be preferable when breastfeeding.

Occupations requiring fine motor skills and high-level coordination skills are not advised initially. Solifenacin may affect your reaction time. Blurred vision is another common side effect. And difficulty concentrating is a less common side effect that may occur when dosage is too high. Discuss the nature of your occupations with your Provider. Dosage may need to be altered or another medication may better suit your circumstances.

Studies have concluded that Vesicare is helpful for MS patients with overactive bladder as well as incontinence. Vesicare significantly improved frequency, severity of urgency, volume voided, and the number of incontinence pads used over 24 hours.

Vigorous exercise, any type of overexertion, or becoming overheated for any reason increases perspiration. This further increases dryness in the body, which can then lead to heat stroke. Hydrate appropriately, avoid overheating, and immediately contact your Provider or emergency services should symptoms of heat stroke occur.

Vesicare has been found to have similar outcomes in seniors (greater than 65-75 years) as in the general adult population. Both the safety precautions as well as the effectiveness remain the same for adults of all ages.

Potentially, yes. Angioedema and anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with Solifenacin Succinate Tablets. Anyone who has had a previous allergic reaction to any of the ingredients should not take Solifenacin treatment. Discuss your medical history with the prescribing Provider before initiating Solifenacin treatment. If you experience swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing after taking Solifenacin, discontinue the medicine and immediately seek emergency treatment.

The active ingredient is Solifenacin. Inactive ingredients are: lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized starch, hypromellose 2910, magnesium stearate, triacetin, polyethylene glycol 3350 and titanium dioxide with yellow ferric oxide and red ferric oxide.