Solifenacin
Solifenacin, sold as Vesicare, calms bladder muscle spasms to reduce sudden urges and frequent urination. Vesicare is the only solifenacin product listed, in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets.
Key points
- Solifenacin is an antimuscarinic, a medicine class that targets involuntary bladder contractions.
- Solifenacin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurry vision; avoid driving until you know how it affects you.
- Tablets must be swallowed whole with water, never split, chewed or crushed.
How does Solifenacin work?
Solifenacin blocks the nerve signals that tell the bladder muscle to contract. By dampening those contractions, it gives the bladder more time to fill before sending an urgency signal, which reduces the sudden urges and frequent trips to the toilet that characterise overactive bladder. The two strengths, 5 mg and 10 mg, exist because treatment can begin at the lower dose and move up if symptoms persist. Vesicare is marketed by Astellas Pharma and listed under Bladder Health.