Does this happen to you sometimes? When you are getting ready to travel somewhere, while you are on an important task, or even while sleeping at night, you suddenly need to urinate. Not only that, but sometimes you can't control it. This discomfort may also disrupt your daily activities. In medicine, we call this condition 'Overactive Bladder'. Solifenacin is one of the medicines that doctors prescribe for this discomfort. Let's talk about it simply today.
Simply put, what is Solifenacin?
Solifenacin is a drug that relaxes the muscles in your bladder and controls its involuntary activity. Think of it like your bladder is just a little ball. It's only when it's full that we feel the need to urinate. But in Overactive Bladder, when the bladder is even slightly full, or even just a little, it suddenly contracts, causing you to have an urgent need to urinate.
Solifenacin works by stopping the bladder from contracting involuntarily. This can help you to go to the bathroom less often and also help you to control your urination. This medicine can be used alone or with other treatments.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking any medication, it is very important to tell your doctor about your medical history. Especially if you are taking Solifenacin, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Do you have this condition? | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma condition | Because this medicine may increase eye pressure. |
| Irregular heartbeat | Solifenacin can sometimes affect the heartbeat. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Because these organs help remove drugs from the body, if their function is impaired, the dosage of the drug may need to be adjusted. |
| Stomach or intestinal problems (e.g. constipation) | This medication may worsen these conditions. |
| Difficulty urinating | Because the medication can make it more difficult to urinate. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | It is essential to seek medical advice about the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
| If you have previously had an allergy to Solifenacin or other medicines/foods | To prevent a recurrence of allergies. |
How should I use the medicine?
- Swallow this tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , exactly as your doctor prescribed. This will help keep the medicine working at the same time.
- You can take this before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset, it's best to take it with food.
- Continue taking the medication until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking the medication suddenly, even if you think your symptoms have improved a little.
Important: Children may require special care when using this medicine. Therefore, follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose? (Missed dose)
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Solifenacin. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking.
| Drug type and examples | |
|---|---|
| Drugs that should never be taken with Solifenacin | |
Cisapride, Dronedarone, Pimozide, Thioridazine | |
| Other drugs that may interact with Solifenacin (tell your doctor about these) | |
| Antifungal drugs | Eg: fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole |
| Medicines for other urinary tract diseases | Ex: oxybutynin, tolterodine |
| Other medications | Atropine, Rifampin, St. John's Wort, drugs that affect heart rate |
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Dizziness and drowsiness: This medicine may make you feel a little drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
- Dry mouth and eyes: Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. This can be reduced by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water. Dry eyes and blurred vision may also occur. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience discomfort. If these persist, tell your doctor.
- Be careful with extreme heat: This medicine may reduce sweating. Therefore, be careful when exercising or being in hot places. Your body temperature can rise dangerously, causing heat stroke.
- Food and Drink: Things like tea, coffee, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol can aggravate your bladder symptoms, so it's best to limit these.
Side effects of the medicine
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| If these symptoms occur, inform your doctor immediately . | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, vision changes, eye pain, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, inability to urinate or decreased urination |
| If it persists or becomes bothersome, inform your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, stomach upset |
Take-Home Message
- Solifenacin is a medication used to treat frequent urination and difficulty controlling urine (overactive bladder).
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine at the prescribed dose and at the prescribed time. If you miss a dose, never take two doses at the same time.
- Be careful when driving and performing hazardous tasks, as dizziness and drowsiness may occur when taking the medication.
- Minor side effects such as dry mouth and constipation may occur, and if serious symptoms such as allergies and difficulty breathing occur, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, discuss it with your doctor.
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