Vesicare (Solifenacin)

Vesicare is a prescription medication used to treat urinary incontinence or overactive bladder syndrome.

It contains the active ingredient solifenacin, which works by relaxing the muscles in the bladder, meaning it holds more urine and reduces incontinence symptoms.

It is available in both tablet and liquid form. The tablets were approved for treatment in Europe in 2004, while the liquid was approved in 2015.

The tablets are available at euroClinix in two doses: 5 mg and 10 mg. Most people start on the 5 mg dose, but it can be increased to 10 mg if needed. You take one tablet once daily.

Vesicare contains the active ingredient Solifenacin.

Solifenacin is an antimuscarinic drug, sometimes known as an anticholinergic. These medicines work to relax smooth muscles in the body, which includes the muscles in the bladder.

In people with incontinence or an overactive bladder, the muscles in the bladder contract before the bladder is full. This is what causes incontinence symptoms.

Below is a simple explanation of Vesicare works.

Prevents the action of certain brain chemicals

Solifenacin prevents the action of acetylcholine (ACh), a chemical messenger that causes the muscles in the bladder to contract.

Relaxes the muscles in your bladder

This action stops the muscles in the bladder from contracting before your bladder is full.

Reduces symptoms

This helps to relieve incontinence and symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome. It means your bladder can hold more urine, which reduces the frequency and urge to pee.

Vesicare is an effective incontinence treatment with unique benefits.

Fewer toilet trips

It treats urinary frequency, urges and incontinence, which stops frequent trips to the bathroom.

No unwanted leaks

Vesicare helps your bladder hold more urine, which helps with sudden leaks.

Improves nighttime symptoms

It can help reduce urges at nighttime, which will help you get a more restful sleep.

Flexible dosage

Vesicare is available in 5 mg and 10 mg doses, which means your doctor can increase the dose if needed.

Easy-to-take

You just have to take one tablet once per day.

Vesicare can, therefore, help you feel more confident and improve your quality of life overall.

Studies show that Vesicare is an effective treatment for urinary incontinence.

✓ Over 50% of patients on Vesicare experienced no incontinence symptoms after 12 weeks.*

One study involving over 600 participants compared the effectiveness of Vesicare to a placebo after 12 weeks of treatment:

They found:

• Improvements in symptoms occurred as early as 4 weeks of treatment.
• 53% of patients on Vesicare saw complete continence after 12 weeks of treatment, meaning they had no symptoms*.
• Participants on Vesicare saw a 47 ml increase in the amount of urine released from the bladder, meaning their bladders were able to hold more urine.

These results show that Vesicare is an effective and well-tolerated treatment.

*In patients who had 1 episode or more of incontinence symptoms per day.

Vesicare is suitable for most people. However, you should always ask your doctor if you have another medical condition or take any other medication.

Who can use it

Vesicare (Solifenacin) is suitable for men and women to treat:

• urinary urgency (sudden urges to pee)
• increased urinary frequency (needing to pee more often)
• urinary incontinence (not being able to hold in your pee)
• overactive bladder syndrome (OAB)

Who cannot use it

You cannot use Vesicare if you are allergic to Solifenacin or any of the other ingredients present in this medicine.

You should also not use this medicine if you:

Digestive conditions

• have a condition that disrupts the movement of food through the intestines (ileus or intestinal atony)
• have an obstruction in your bowels
• have narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small intestine (pyloric stenosis)
• have severe ulcerative colitis
• have a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease (toxic megacolon)

Bladder conditions

• have a condition where the flow of urine out of the bladder is obstructed (a significant bladder obstruction)
• have a condition that means your bladder doesn’t empty completely (urinary retention)

Other

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a chronic autoimmune disorder which causes muscle weakness and fatigue (myasthenia gravis)
• have an eye condition where the iris becomes enlarged and blocks fluid from draining from the eye (angle-closure glaucoma)
• have severe kidney or liver problems

Cautions

You should also ask your doctor if you have any of the following conditions, as you may be at a greater risk of side effects:

Heart-related conditions and risks

• recent heart attack
• abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
• heart failure
• recent heart surgery
• heart rate over 100 beats per minute (tachycardia)
• coronary artery disease
• increased risk of QT-interval prolongation (where the heart takes longer to recover between each heartbeat)
• high blood pressure

Digestive conditions

• diarrhoea
• long-term acid reflux (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or GORD)
• hiatus hernia with inflammation of the oesophagus (oesophagitis)

Other

• being elderly
• increased risk of angle-closure glaucoma
• an enlarged prostate
• moderate kidney or liver problems

If you’re not sure, ask your doctor for advice.

What dose do I take?

Vesicare tablets are available in two different doses: 5 mg and 10 mg.

Most people will take 5 mg once per day. However, your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg per day if needed.

If you have moderate liver or kidney problems, you should not take more than 5 mg per day.

When do I take it?

You should take Vesicare once a day. You can take it at any time of the day but you should try to take it at the same time each day.

How do I take it?

You should take each tablet with a sip of water. You can take it with or without food. It does not affect the dose.

Do not crush, split or chew tablets. This can reduce the effects of the medicine.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is nearly time for your next dose.

If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

How long do I take it for?

Most people on Vesicare (Solefinacin) will need to take it for a long time. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Your doctor will need to review your medication regularly to check whether it’s working for you.

You should start to feel the effects of Vesicare in 3-8 hours. However, it may take 4-6 weeks for it to work fully and for your symptoms to improve.

Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder syndrome can be made worse by certain lifestyle factors.

So, here are some simple and small changes that may help improve your symptoms.

Cut down on caffeine

• Caffeine can irritate the bladder and act as a diuretic (which can increase urine production).
• Therefore, avoid caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, or energy drinks as they can make symptoms worse.

Drink the right amount of fluid

• Drinking too much or too little fluids can make incontinence worse.
• You should aim to drink 6-8 cups of fluid (around 1.5-2 litres) per day.

Bladder training techniques

• You can try to retrain your bladder by waiting 2-5 minutes before going to the toilet. This can help stretch out bladder so it needs to be emptied less often.
• Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, can help to prevent incontinence and leaks. They involve repeatedly squeezing, holding and then relaxing those muscles to strengthen them.

Lose weight

• Being overweight can be a risk factor for urinary incontinence.
• This is because it causes excess pressure on your abdomen, which increases pressure on your bladder.
• Losing weight with portion control and increased exercise can, therefore, help with symptoms.

What fluids you drink and how much you drink can impact your urinary incontinence symptoms. Try to drink 6-8 cups of water per day and avoid caffeinated drinks.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

Like all medicines, Vesicare may cause side effects. However, not everyone experiences them. If you do experience them, the most common side effects are mild and should go away on their own.

Common side effects

Uncommon side effects

Rare side effects

To view a full list of side effects, check out the patient information leaflet.

How to manage side effects

The most common side effects of Vesicare go away on their own after a few months of using it. This is because your body slowly gets used to the medication.

However, there are a few things you can do to reduce certain side effects:

Dry mouth

Try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets to help improve dry mouth.

Dizziness

Stay hydrated by drinking the right amount of fluids (6-8 cups a day). This can also help with nausea and diarrhoea.

Headaches

Take over-the-counter painkillers, if you are able to, to help with headaches.

Nausea and vomiting

Eat smaller portions and eat more slowly to help with nausea. Try to also go outdoors and get some fresh air.

Constipation

Eat more fibre-rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and oats. Daily exercise can also help promote bowel movements.

Vesicare (Solifenacin) may interact with other medicines you take. You should speak to your doctor before using Vesicare if you are taking any other medications.

Medicines that can increase the effects of Solifenacin

Some medicines may increase your exposure to Vesicare (Solifenacin) when taken together.

• certain antifungal medicines (e.g. ketoconazole and itraconazole)
• medicines used to treat HIV (e.g. atazanavir)
• certain cancer treatments
• epilepsy medicines (e.g. phenytoin and carbamazepine)
• clarithromycin (an antibiotic)
• rifampicin (an antibiotic)
• verapamil (used to treat high blood pressure)

Medicines that may increase the risk of side effects

Some medicines, when taken with Vesicare (Solifenacin), can increase the risk of side effects or cause additional side effects.

• other antimuscarinic medicines (e.g. oxybutynin)
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline)
• antihistamines that have a sedating effect (e.g. promethazine or chlorphenamine)
• certain treatments for arrhythmias (e.g. amiodarone)
• antipsychotic medicines (e.g. clozapine)
• certain anti-nausea medicines (e.g. metoclopramide)
• medicines used to treat osteoporosis (e.g. alendronic acid)

For a full list of interactions, you can visit the interactions checker on BNF.

Below are some important safety considerations to be aware of when using Vesicare.

Safety Tips

Pregnancy Avoid

The effects of Vesicare during pregnancy are not well-studied. Do not use Vesicare if pregnant unless your doctor believes it is necessary.

Breastfeeding Avoid

Vesicare may pass into breast milk, so do not use Vesicare if you are breastfeeding.

Alcohol Caution

Limit alcohol intake while taking Vesicare, as it can increase the risk of side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.

Driving Caution

Vesicare may cause blurred vision or drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Heat exposure Caution

Vesicare can decrease sweating, increasing the risk of heat stroke. Use caution in hot environments and stay hydrated to prevent overheating.

Lactose intolerance Important

Vesicare contains lactose. Do not take it if you have a galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Storage

Vesicare has no specific storage instructions. However, you should keep it out of sight and reach of children, and away from sunlight and moisture.

Keep Vesicare in its original packaging so that you can see the expiry date. Do not use it past the expiry date. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Disposal

You should take any unused or expired medication to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not throw it in the general waste or flush it down the toilet. This can harm the environment.

No, Vesicare is a prescription-only medication. You need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it. This ensures the medication is safe and suitable for your needs.

You can receive an online prescription from euroClinix.

Ordering Vesicare online from euroClinix is convenient.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
2. UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
3. Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
4. Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

euroClinix is trusted by thousands of UK users for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Vesicare at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

The main alternative available is Detrusitol, which contains Tolterodine.

It belongs to the same family of drugs as Vesicare and, therefore, acts similarly. However, there are some differences.