How long does Vesicare stay in your system?(+3 factors)

In this article, we will discuss the duration for which Vesicare stays in your system. We will further discuss the factors that influence the duration of stay of Vesicare in your system.

How long does Vesicare stay in your system?

Vesicare (solifenacin) stays for a longer duration in your body. Vesicare has a long half-life which indicates that half of the drug is eliminated from the body after 45-68 hours (1).

After taking a dosage of Vesicare, it is absorbed into the bloodstream then undergoes extensive liver metabolism and finally excreted from the kidneys. This entire process takes a few days due to its long half-life (1).

Vesicare is an antimuscarinic agent used for the treatment of overactive bladder. It is an effective and well-tolerated drug for patients with overactive bladder or urinary incontinence. It improves bladder functionality and decreases urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence (2).

However, if you have specific concerns regarding the duration of Vesicare and its stay in your body, you must discuss it with your healthcare provider to avoid any misconceptions.

What does research suggest?

Based on research studies, the stay of the drug in your body depends upon its half-life. The longer the half-life, the longer will the drug stay in your system. Vesicare is available in once-daily oral tablets of 5mg and 10mg respectively (1).

A study related to the duration of treatment of overactive bladder symptoms was conducted. 371 overactive bladder patients were given Vesicare and other antimuscarinic agents for 12 weeks. These patients showed positive outcomes with these agents (3).

However, based on the results of this study, it was suggested that overactive bladder patients must be started on the lowest recommended medication dose for a defined period (3).

What factors can affect the stay of Vesicare in your system?

The following factors may influence the stay time of Vesicare in your system:

  • Medication interaction- Concomitant use of other medication may impact the stay of Vesicare in your system. Therefore, always discuss other medications with your doctor before starting a new regimen.
  • Kidney and liver function- The metabolism of Vesicare through the liver and clearance from the kidney may largely impact its stay time in your body. The increased metabolism and excretion may eliminate the drug quickly while slow metabolism and clearance may prolong the stay time of Vesicare in your system.
  • Age- Age plays a major role in drug metabolism and excretion from the body due to compromised organ functions.
  • Individual patient variability- Different patients respond differently to medication. Some patients may influence the drug-metabolizing in the liver quicker than others, which has a profound effect on the drug stay in your body.

What are the side effects of Vesicare?

Following are some potential side effects of Vesicare (4):

  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry skin

Some adverse effects may include (4):

  • Severe constipation for more than 3 days
  • Bleeding
  • Itching
  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Back pain
  • Hoarseness
  • Hallucination
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Tiredness

However, it is important to note that not all patients taking Vesicare face these symptoms. Some patients may be severely affected while others may not depending on individual patient factors.

In my opinion

In my opinion as a pharmacist, I would advise you to always discuss your medical and medication history with your doctor before starting a new treatment. Your doctor may help assess your health condition and adjust your new dosage regimen accordingly.

You must always discuss the appropriate timing and dosage of Vesicare or any other medication with your doctor to receive optimal therapeutic effects and quick alleviation of your symptoms without facing potential adversities.

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References

1.-

Basra, Ramandeep, and Con Kelleher. “A Review of Solifenacin in the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence.” Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management 4, no. 1 (2008): 117-128. Accessed January 22, 2024. https://doi.org/10.2147/tcrm.s1274.

2.-

Kreder KJ. Solifenacin. Urol Clin North Am. 2006 Nov;33(4):483-90, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2006.06.008. PMID: 17011384. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17011384/

3.-

Przydacz, Mikolaj, Lysanne Campeau, Erik Walter, and Jacques Corcos. “How Long Do We Have to Treat Overactive Bladder Syndrome? A Questionnaire Survey of Canadian Urologists and Gynecologists.” Canadian Urological Association Journal 12, no. 9 (2018): E378. Accessed January 22, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.5032.

4.-

AHFS Patient Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.; c2019. Solifenacin; [updated 2020 Jun 24; reviewed 2018 Jul 5; cited 2020 Jul 1]; [about 5 p.]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605019.html