Solifenacin provides effective antimuscarinic therapy for the complete management of overactive bladder

Abstract

Solifenacin is an antimuscarinic agent, administered once daily, which has been newly approved for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). Solifenacin administered at 5- and 10-mg once-daily doses shows efficacy for all the symptoms of OAB in both 'wet' and 'dry' patients, including improvements in patient quality of life and satisfaction. These improvements are observed as early as week 2 of treatment and are maintained over 12-week and 1-year time periods, without being compromised by the age or gender of the patient. Solifenacin demonstrates a favourable tolerability profile, with mild dry mouth as the most common adverse event associated with its use, both at the 5- and 10-mg doses; this allows for flexibility in the dosing regimen, in which physicians can administer solifenacin 5 mg, with the option to safely increase the dose to 10 mg if necessary based on the severity of patient's symptoms. The favourable efficacy and safety profile of solifenacin, coupled with its dose flexibility, are consistent with solifenacin being a convenient treatment option for patients with OAB.