Solifenacin (Vesicare, Giraxine, Vesomni)

About solifenacin

Solifenacin is prescribed to treat urinary symptoms such as urgency, frequency and incontinence. Urinary urgency occurs when you have a sudden and urgent need to pass urine. If you need to take more trips to the toilet than normal, this is called urinary frequency. If you leak urine before you go to the toilet, this is called urinary incontinence.

There are several different causes of these urinary symptoms, such as weakened pelvic floor muscles, problems causing your bladder muscles to contract too much or too early, or something causing an obstruction. Sometimes the cause of these symptoms is unknown.

Solifenacin works by stopping sudden bladder muscle contractions and increasing the volume of urine that your bladder can hold. This helps to control the release of urine and eases your symptoms.

Solifenacin is also available as a combination brand (Vesomni®) with a medicine called tamsulosin for urinary urgency in men with prostate gland enlargement.

Before taking solifenacin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking solifenacin it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you have a heart condition, such as an unusual heart rhythm, problems with the blood vessels in your heart, or heart failure.
• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or any problems with the way your kidneys work.
• If you have problems with your prostate gland.
• If you have any of the following conditions: increased eye pressure (called glaucoma); hiatus hernia; an overactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis.
• If you have a condition which could cause a blockage in your stomach, bowel or urinary tract.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take solifenacin?

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about solifenacin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
• Take the tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose of solifenacin is one 5 mg tablet every day, although your doctor may increase your dose to one 10 mg tablet every day if it is considered necessary.
• Try to take the tablet at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take your doses regularly. You can take solifenacin either before or after meals. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water - do not chew or crush it before you swallow.
• If you have been prescribed the oral liquid medicine, use the oral syringe to measure your dose accurately and follow the manufacturer's instructions closely. It is important to shake the bottle well, at least twenty times, before measuring each dose.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose but make sure you take the dose due on that day. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress and review your treatment. It may take up to 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit from these tablets.
• Drinks containing caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cola) may make your symptoms worse. This is because caffeine is a natural diuretic and will make you want to pass urine. If you drink a lot of caffeine-containing fluids, consider switching to decaffeinated alternatives.
• Try to maintain a normal life as much as possible with regard to drinking and visiting the toilet. However, drinking late at night may mean your sleep is disturbed by the desire to get up and go to the toilet, so you may want to avoid drinking too much during the evening.
• Your doctor may suggest that you do some pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles around the underside of your bladder. These can help to improve your symptoms.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with solifenacin. This is because some medicines (particularly antihistamines) can increase the chance that you will experience unwanted effects such as a dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision.

Can solifenacin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the common ones associated with solifenacin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store solifenacin?

• Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• The oral liquid medicine keeps for 28 days after first opening. Discard the bottle after this time. 

Important information about all medicines