Do you sometimes feel a sudden urge to urinate? Or do you have times when you can't control it and just leak a little urine? Having to run to the washroom all the time is really annoying. In medicine, this condition is called "Overactive Bladder". Solifenacin is a special medicine that comes in the form of a liquid (oral suspension) that doctors recommend to treat this discomfort. Let's talk about this medicine in detail today.
What is this medicine called Solifenacin?
Simply put, Solifenacin is a drug that relaxes the muscles in your bladder and increases its capacity. It is available in the market under names like VESIcare . Our bladder is a small sac-like organ. When it is full, we feel the need to urinate. However, in the case of Overactive Bladder, the bladder muscles contract frequently and unnecessarily. Solifenacin stops these unnecessary contractions. This reduces the frequent urge to urinate and the uncontrollable leakage of urine (wetting accidents).
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing this medicine to you, your doctor will ask you about some things. If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to inform your doctor about them. This is very important for your safety.
- Glaucoma: If you have glaucoma, this medicine may increase eye pressure.
- Heart disease: If you have an irregular heartbeat or a history of other heart disease.
- Kidney or liver disease: If you have poor kidney or liver function, the dosage may need to be adjusted because it takes longer for the medicine to leave the body.
- Stomach or intestinal problems: If you have digestive problems or other intestinal diseases.
- Difficulty passing urine: If you have trouble passing urine completely.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to solifenacin or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not.
How should I use the medicine?
This is a liquid medicine, so you need to be a little careful when using it.
- Shake well: Shake the bottle well before each use.
- Measure correctly: Use only the special oral syringe, spoon, or dropper that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not measure with household teaspoons or tablespoons. They are not accurate.
- How to take: You can take this medicine with a glass of water or milk. Try to take it at the same time every day, as directed by your doctor.
- With or without food: This can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- For children: In some special cases, this medicine is prescribed for children as young as 2 years old. But this should only be done under the strict supervision of a pediatrician.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Anyone can miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose (i.e., more than 12 hours have passed since you missed it), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Solifenacin can interact with some other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Drugs that should never be taken with Solifenacin | |
| Various medications | Cisapride, Dronedarone, Pimozide, Thioridazine |
| Drugs that may interact with Solifenacin (inform the doctor) | |
| Antifungals | Drugs like Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Fluconazole |
| Medicines for other urinary tract diseases | Oxybutynin, Tolterodine |
| Other medications | Atropine, Scopolamine (used to treat nausea during travel), Rifampin, St. John's wort (a herbal remedy), and other drugs that affect the heart rate. |
Important: This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to consider when taking medication
Driving and operating machinery
This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision in some people. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. If you feel dizzy, sit or stand up slowly. Drinking alcohol can increase these side effects.
Dry mouth and dry eyes
This is a common condition that many people experience when taking this medication. Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help with dry mouth. If your eyes feel dry, especially if you wear contact lenses, you can use lubricating drops. If these problems persist, talk to your doctor.
Be careful of excessive heat.
This medicine may reduce sweating. Therefore, avoid staying in hot places and spending too much time in the sun. Otherwise, your body temperature may rise dangerously, leading to a condition called heat stroke.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Solifenacin can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Let's learn about them in the table below.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Breathing difficulties | Difficulty breathing. |
| Vision changes | Sudden blurred vision, changes. |
| Mental changes | Confusion, memory loss, seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations). |
| Heartbeat | Fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Heat Stroke Symptoms | Decreased sweating, high fever, nausea, extreme fatigue. |
| Urination problems | Inability to urinate or decreased urine output. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system | Constipation, stomach pain, dry mouth. |
| Other | Headache, dizziness, drowsiness. |
How to store the medicine?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Most importantly: Throw away any remaining medicine 28 days after opening the bottle. Do not use it again.
- Ask your doctor about the safest way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications. If you are throwing them in the trash, it is best to mix the liquid medication with something like cat litter, soil, or used coffee grounds and place it in a tightly sealed bag.
Take-Home Message
- Solifenacin is a medication that is used to control frequent urination and uncontrolled urination (overactive bladder).
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have (especially glaucoma, heart, kidney, or liver disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- Use only the special syringe or spoon that comes with the medicine to measure it.
- Be careful when driving and staying in hot places while taking the medication.
- Common side effects such as dry mouth and constipation may occur, and if you experience symptoms such as severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, or confusion, seek medical advice immediately.
- Discard any remaining medicine 28 days after opening the bottle.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න