Solifenacin at a glance
Medicine class
Antimuscarinic bladder medicine.
Main symptoms treated
Urgency, frequent urination and urge incontinence associated with overactive bladder.
Food
Tablets may be taken with or without food. Oral suspension should be followed by water and not taken together with food or other drinks.
When benefit may be clearer
Maximum benefit may not be apparent until at least four weeks after starting treatment.
What is Solifenacin used for?
Licensed uses differ by formulation.
Film-coated tablets: urgency, increased urinary frequency and urge incontinence associated with overactive bladder in adults.
Oral suspension: the same overactive-bladder symptoms in adults.
Oral suspension: neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years.
How does Solifenacin work?
Solifenacin blocks muscarinic cholinergic receptors. This reduces involuntary bladder-muscle contractions, helping the bladder hold urine for longer and reducing urgency and leakage.
Solifenacin preparations and strengths
Oral suspension
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg/mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
How to take Solifenacin
Follow the product label and prescriber's directions.
Swallow film-coated tablets whole with liquid; do not chew or crush them.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Measure oral suspension with the supplied or recommended oral syringe and adaptor, not a kitchen teaspoon.
After taking oral suspension, drink a glass of water. Do not take it together with food or other drinks because this can cause bitterness or mouth numbness.
Solifenacin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Nausea or indigestion
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Blurred vision
- Headache
Get urgent medical advice
- Inability or increasing difficulty passing urine
- Severe constipation, persistent abdominal pain or signs of faecal impaction
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Fever, chills, painful urination, flank pain, or bloody or cloudy urine
- New palpitations, fainting or other symptoms suggesting a significant heart-rhythm problem
Solifenacin in pregnancy
Solifenacin is not usually recommended during pregnancy because human safety information is limited. If pregnant or planning pregnancy, discuss treatment with the prescriber rather than stopping it without advice.
Solifenacin while breastfeeding
Solifenacin may be used cautiously when breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant, but an alternative may be preferred because direct evidence is lacking and accumulation is possible. Monitor feeding, weight gain, wet nappies, constipation, irritability and unusual drowsiness. Seek specialist advice for a premature or unwell infant.
Solifenacin interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products because solifenacin's effects and blood concentration can be altered.
Other anticholinergic or antimuscarinic medicines
May increase dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, drowsiness and urinary retention.
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir
Can substantially increase solifenacin exposure and adverse effects; product-specific restrictions apply, particularly with renal or hepatic impairment.
Common questions about Solifenacin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How long does solifenacin take to work fully?
Some improvement may appear earlier, but the maximum effect may not be clear until at least four weeks after treatment begins.
Can solifenacin make it difficult to urinate?
Yes. Difficulty starting or fully emptying the bladder can indicate urinary retention and needs prompt assessment.
Can solifenacin affect driving?
It can cause blurred vision and sometimes drowsiness or fatigue. Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery while vision or alertness is affected.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.