In a nutshell
This study analyzed the effectiveness of medication to treat overactive bladder in women. They found that 5mg solifenacin (VESIcare®) once daily is a safe and effective treatment for overactive bladder.
Some background
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition where a person experiences an increased urge to urinate. In some cases, patients may experience incontinence, an inability to control the act of urination (voiding). OAB is a common medical condition in men and women, however the symptoms are usually more severe in women. This can negatively impact the quality of life of female patients.
The first line of treatment for OAB is antimuscarinic drugs. These relax the bladder muscle, reducing the urge to urinate. These drugs are associated with negative side effects including dry mouth and eyes, dizziness and constipation. Many studies have been performed to test antimuscarinic drugs (and other medications) to treat OAB.
Methods & findings
This study investigated drug treatments for OAB in women. This study analyzed and compared data from 5 clinical reports including 5,336 patients.
Aside from darifenacin (7.5 mg once daily), all drugs in these studies were effective compared to placebo (substance with no active effect). 10 mg solifenacin (VESIcare) once daily was most effective in treating OAB, 2.5 times more effective compared to placebo. 3 mg Oxybutynin (Oxytrol) three times daily, was the next most effective medication, 2.3 times more effective compared to placebo. 5 mg solifenacin once daily was also effective in treating OAB, 2.1 times more effective compared to placebo.
10 mg solifenacin had the highest incidence of adverse events (side effects). 5 mg solifenacin was associated with a lower incidence of adverse events compared to the 10 mg dose.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that 5 mg solifenacin once daily is a safe and effective treatment for OAB.
The fine print
This study analyzed data from clinical trials with different endpoints and protocols. As a result, making comparisons between study findings is difficult. All treatments were effective compared to placebo, so although 5 mg solifenacin is recommended by this study it may not be the most effective treatment for an individual patient.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding treatment for OAB, please consult with your doctor.
Published By :
Australian family physician
Date :
Mar 01, 2017
