Is Your Medication Causing Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth isn’t just an annoyance, it can lead to serious dental issues if left untreated. Read on to see which medications are most likely to cause dry mouth.
solifenacin
Used for Overactive Bladder
Used for Overactive Bladder
Solifenacin succinate, also known by the brand name Vesicare, is an anticholinergic medication. It's used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. This medication comes as tablets that are taken by mouth once a day. The most common side effects are dry mouth and constipation.
What is Solifenacin (Vesicare)?
What is Solifenacin (Vesicare) used for?
- Overactive bladder (OAB) in adults
How Solifenacin (Vesicare) works
Solifenacin (Vesicare) is an antimuscarinic medication. It's also commonly called an anticholinergic.
Solifenacin (Vesicare) blocks a chemical called acetylcholine from attaching to certain receptors in the bladder. This helps relax your bladder muscles. It helps you urinate less often and have better control of your bladder.
When does Solifenacin (Vesicare) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vesicare |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Anticholinergic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Solifenacin (Vesicare)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth (up to 28%)
- Constipation (up to 13%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Blurry vision
- Dry eye
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Urinary tract infection
Solifenacin (Vesicare) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe swelling: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing
- Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, fast heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, short of breath, feeling faint or lightheaded
When do Solifenacin (Vesicare) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Dry mouth
Constipation
Blurry vision
Risk of fast heart rate
Risk of severe swelling
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Solifenacin (Vesicare) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
chills
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
headache
lower back or side pain
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
swelling of the lower legs
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
body aches or pain
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
decreased or increased sweating
discouragement
fainting
feeling sad or empty
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hives or welts, itching, skin rash
hoarseness
irregular heartbeat recurrent
irritability
joint pain
lack of appetite
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aches and pains
redness of the skin
runny or stuffy nose
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
shivering
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tingling of the hands or feet
trouble concentrating
trouble with sleeping
trouble with swallowing
unusual weight gain or loss
voice changes
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$307.25
GoodRx discount
$15.92
Pros and cons of Solifenacin (Vesicare)
Pros
- Taken once a day, with or without food
- Lower risk of dry mouth than some other similar OAB medications
Cons
- Can interact with medications that raise the risk of side effects
- Not a good option for people who have trouble urinating or certain gut problems
Pharmacist tips for Solifenacin (Vesicare)
- You can take solifenacin (Vesicare) with or without food. If it upsets your stomach happens, you can try taking it with food next time to help.
- Swallow solifenacin (Vesicare) whole. Don't chew, crush, or cut them in half. Talk to your prescriber if you have trouble swallowing the tablets whole.
- Keep taking solifenacin (Vesicare) as prescribed to help control your overactive bladder symptoms. If you stop taking it too soon, your symptoms might come back. Talk to your prescriber before stopping the medication.
- Solifenacin (Vesicare) can often cause dry mouth. Stay hydrated to help. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum. If dry mouth bothers you too much, tell your care team so they can find other ways to help.
- Solifenacin (Vesicare) can cause constipation. Drink plenty of water and add more fiber into your diet to help prevent this side effect. Talk to your care team if constipation is severe or doesn't get better.
- Solifenacin (Vesicare) can cause dizziness or sleepiness. Don't drive, use heavy machinery, or do anything that requires focus until you know how the medication affects you. Avoid or limit alcohol because it can make these side effects worse.
- Solifenacin (Vesicare) can make you sweat less, which can cause dry skin and make it easier to overheat. This risk is higher in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids and try to stay out of the heat during the hottest part of the day.
- Ask your prescriber about lifestyle changes that can help with overactive bladder (OAB). These can include bladder training, planned bathroom trips, or pelvic floor exercises. They might also suggest trying to avoid drinks that can make your symptoms worse. These tips can help manage OAB along with solifenacin (Vesicare).
- If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant: Tell your prescriber. It's not completely known if solifenacin (Vesicare) is safe to take while pregnant. Your prescriber can help explain the risks and benefits of the medication and help you choose a safe option.
- If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed: Talk to your prescriber. Taking solifenacin (Vesicare) for a long time might lower your milk supply. If you breastfeed during treatment, watch for a drop in your milk supply or poor weight gain in your baby. Also watch for constipation or fewer wet diapers. Ask your prescriber or a lactation consultant if you have concerns.
Risks and warnings for Solifenacin (Vesicare)
Solifenacin (Vesicare) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions, like severe swelling or anaphylaxis
Some people taking solifenacin (Vesicare) have had serious allergic reactions. This can include severe swelling called angioedema. This can happen in the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Swelling of the tongue or throat area can be life-threatening, since it can make it hard to breathe. Another allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, which can cause swelling, trouble breathing, or hives.
Go to the emergency room right away if you have sudden trouble breathing or swelling in your face or throat.
Side effects related to the nervous system
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that cause nervous system side effects
Solifenacin (Vesicare) can cause sleepiness, dizziness, headache, or confusion. Rarely, it can also cause hallucinations, such as seeing or hearing things that aren't real. Watch for these side effects when you start taking the medication or after your dose goes up.
Let your care team know if they bother you or make daily activities hard to do. Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention until you know how solifenacin (Vesicare) makes you feel. Keep in mind that other medications that cause sleepiness can make these side effects worse.
Trouble emptying your bladder
- Risk factors: Blockage in the urinary tract | Prostate problems
Solifenacin (Vesicare) can make it harder to empty your bladder. This can cause urinary retention and, in serious cases, kidney problems. Tell your prescriber before taking this medication if you already have trouble urinating.
Let your prescriber know if you can't urinate or have a lot of trouble urinating. You might need to stop taking solifenacin (Vesicare).
Caution use in people with glaucoma
Before you start solifenacin (Vesicare), let your prescriber know if you have glaucoma. Solifenacin (Vesicare) can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. Because of this, your prescriber can talk to you about the risks and benefits of this medication.
If you have glaucoma, tell your eye specialist that you're taking solifenacin (Vesicare). They can follow up with you more closely.
Not recommended for people with digestive system problems
Solifenacin (Vesicare) can slow down movement in your stomach and intestines. Because of this, it might not be safe if you have a condition that already slows digestion. You shouldn't take solifenacin (Vesicare) if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
Tell your prescriber if you have digestive problems, such as gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying). They can check if solifenacin (Vesicare) is right for you.
Not recommended for people at high risk of QT prolongation
- Risk factors: History of QT prolongation | Taking QT-prolonging mediations | Taking solifenacin (Vesicare) at higher-than-recommended doses
Taking much more solifenacin (Vesicare) than recommended has caused QT prolongation. This is when the heart takes longer to reset between beats, which can lead to irregular heart rhythm. There might also be some risk with the 10 mg dose.
Before starting solifenacin (Vesicare), tell your prescriber about your conditions and medications. Solifenacin (Vesicare) isn't recommended for people at high risk of QT prolongation. This includes people who already have QT prolongation or take other medications that can cause it. Your prescriber can check if solifenacin (Vesicare) is safe for you.
Get medical help right away if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting. These can be signs of a serious heart rhythm problem.
Solifenacin (Vesicare) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 10mg of Solifenacin (Vesicare) is $15.92 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 94.82% off the average retail price of $307.25.
Interactions between Solifenacin (Vesicare) and other drugs
Solifenacin (Vesicare) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Solifenacin (Vesicare). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Fluconazole
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Nelfinavir
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Potassium
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabrafenib
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Ebastine
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Eribulin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Famotidine
- Felbamate
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostemsavir
- Galantamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Methacholine
- Methadone
- Methotrimeprazine
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Mizolastine
- Moricizine
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olanzapine
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Papaverine
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Pimavanserin
- Pipamperone
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Revefenacin
- Ribociclib
- Risperidone
- Scopolamine
- Secretin Human
- Selpercatinib
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sultopride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Telavancin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tiotropium
- Tolterodine
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Zotepine
- Zuclopenthixol
How much does Solifenacin (Vesicare) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Solifenacin (Vesicare) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Solifenacin (Vesicare) will not be safe for you to take.
- Can't urinate or completely empty your bladder (urinary retention), such as with prostate problems
- Stomach or intestinal blockage
- Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
What are alternatives to Solifenacin (Vesicare)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Solifenacin (Vesicare). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Solifenacin (Vesicare) images
