vesicare

VESIcare (solifenacin) reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.

VESIcare is used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination, and incontinence (urine leakage).

VESIcare may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use VESIcare if you are allergic to solifenacin, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using VESIcare, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, liver disease, kidney disease, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a history of Long QT syndrome.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. VESIcare can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

VESIcare may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

There are many other medicines that can interact with VESIcare. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Stop using VESIcare and call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as hot and dry skin, extreme thirst, severe stomach pain or constipation, pain or burning when you urinate, or if you stop urinating.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use VESIcare if you are allergic to solifenacin, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

• untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma;

• a stomach disorder causing delayed emptying; or

• if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure you can safely take VESIcare, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• glaucoma;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or

• a history of Long QT syndrome.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether VESIcare will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

It is not known whether solifenacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using VESIcare.

How should I take VESIcare?

Take VESIcare exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

VESIcare is usually taken once per day. Follow your doctor"s instructions.

Take this medicine with water.

Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Swallow it whole.

VESIcare can be taken with or without food.

Store VESIcare at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. VESIcare can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

VESIcare side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to VESIcare: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using VESIcare and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• hot, dry skin and extreme thirst;

• severe stomach pain, or constipation for 3 days or longer;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• vision changes, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling); or

• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious VESIcare side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;

• dry mouth, hoarse voice;

• dry eyes, blurred vision;

• nausea, loss of appetite, upset stomach, heartburn;

• mild constipation; or

• fever, sore throat, body aches, or other flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect VESIcare?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol);

• conivaptan (Vaprisol);

• nefazodone;

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• vandetanib (Caprelsa);

• antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• the hepatitis C medications boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivek);

• HIV/AIDS medicine such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), or saquinavir (Invirase);

• an antibiotic such as azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pack), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• an antidepressant such as amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), or desipramine (Norpramin);

• anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Aralen), halofantrine (Halfan), or mefloquine (Lariam);

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), dronedarone (Multaq), flecainide (Tambocor), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);

• medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting such as dolasetron (Anzemet), droperidol (Inapsine), or ondansetron (Zofran);

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or ziprasidone (Geodon);

• migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet) or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or

• narcotic medication such as methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with VESIcare. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.