- Approval Id
- 876a31914e85000a
- Drug Approval Emc Name
- Vesicare 10mg film-coated tablets
- Drug Name
- Vesicare 10mg film-coated tablets
- Company Name
- Astellas Pharma Ltd
- Company Address
- 300 Dashwood Lang Road, Bourne Business Park, Addlestone, KT15 2NX, UK
- Company Telephone
- +44 (0) 203 379 8700
- Company Medical Info Direct Line
- 0800 783 5018
- Company Medical Info Email
- medinfo.gb@astellas.com
- Company Stock Availability
- +44 (0) 203 379 8721
- Atc Code
- G04BD08
- Legal Category
- Prescription only medicine
- Authorisation Holder
- Astellas Pharma Ltd.
300 Dashwood Lang Road
Bourne Business Park
Addlestone
United Kingdom
KT15 2NX
- Authorisation Number
- PL 00166/0197 Vesicare 5mg
PL 00166/0198 Vesicare 10 mg
- Authorisation Date
- 16 August 2004 / 22 May 2009
- Instruction Authorisation Holder
- Astellas Pharma Ltd.
300 Dashwood Lang Road
Bourne Business Park
Addlestone
United Kingdom
KT15 2NX
- Instruction Authorisation Number
- PL 00166/0197 Vesicare 5mg
PL 00166/0198 Vesicare 10 mg
- Instruction Authorisation Date
- 16 August 2004 / 22 May 2009
- Instruction Composition
- Vesicare 5 mg film-coated tablet:
Each tablet contains 5 mg solifenacin succinate, corresponding to 3.8 mg solifenacin.
\*\*Excipient(s) with known effect\*\*: lactose monohydrate (107.5 mg)
Vesicare 10 mg film-coated tablet:
Each tablet contains 10 mg solifenacin succinate, corresponding to 7.5 mg solifenacin.
\*\*Excipient(s) with known effect\*\*: lactose monohydrate (102.5 mg)
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
- Instruction Dosage Form
- Film-coated tablets.
Vesicare 5 mg film-coated tablet:
Each 5 mg tablet is a round, light-yellow tablet marked with the  logo and “150” on the same side.
Vesicare 10 mg film-coated tablet:
Each 10 mg tablet is a round, light-pink tablet marked with the  logo and “151”on the same side.
- Instruction Clinical Particulars
- 4.1 Therapeutic indications
Symptomatic treatment of urge incontinence and/or increased urinary frequency and urgency as may occur in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.4.2 Posology and method of administration
\*\*Posology\*\*
\*Adults, including the elderly\*
The recommended dose is 5 mg solifenacin succinate once daily. If needed, the dose may be increased to 10 mg solifenacin succinate once daily.
\*Paediatric population\*
The safety and efficacy of Vesicare in children have not yet been established. Therefore, Vesicare should not be used in children.
\*Patients with renal impairment\*
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance > 30 ml/min). Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily (see Section 5.2).
\*Patients with hepatic impairment\*
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily (see Section 5.2).
\*Potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4\*
The maximum dose of Vesicare should be limited to 5 mg when treated simultaneously with ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4-inhibitors e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, itraconazole (see Section 4.5).
\*\*Method of administration\*\*
Vesicare should be taken orally and should be swallowed whole with liquids. It can be taken with or without food.4.3 Contraindications
Solifenacin is contraindicated in patients with urinary retention, severe gastro-intestinal condition (including toxic megacolon), myasthenia gravis or narrow-angle glaucoma and in patients at risk for these conditions.
- Patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in 6.1.
- Patients undergoing haemodialysis (see Section 5.2).
- Patients with severe hepatic impairment (see Section 5.2).
- Patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment and who are on treatment with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, e.g. ketoconazole (see Section 4.5).4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Other causes of frequent urination (heart failure or renal disease) should be assessed before treatment with Vesicare. If urinary tract infection is present, an appropriate antibacterial therapy should be started.
Vesicare should be used with caution in patients with:
- clinically significant bladder outflow obstruction at risk of urinary retention.
- gastrointestinal obstructive disorders.
- risk of decreased gastrointestinal motility.
- severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min; see Section 4.2 and 5.2), and doses should not exceed 5 mg for these patients.
- moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9; see Section 4.2 and 5.2), and doses should not exceed 5 mg for these patients.
- concomitant use of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, e.g. ketoconazole (see 4.2 and 4.5).
- hiatus hernia/gastro-oesophageal reflux and/or who are concurrently taking medicinal products (such as bisphosphonates) that can cause or exacerbate oesophagitis.
- autonomic neuropathy.
QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have been observed in patients with risk factors, such as pre-existing long QT syndrome and hypokalaemia.
Safety and efficacy have not yet been established in patients with a neurogenic cause for detrusor overactivity.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
Angioedema with airway obstruction has been reported in some patients on solifenacin succinate. If angioedema occurs, solifenacin succinate should be discontinued and appropriate therapy and/or measures should be taken.
Anaphylactic reaction has been reported in some patients treated with solifenacin succinate. In patients who develop anaphylactic reactions, solifenacin succinate should be discontinued and appropriate therapy and/or measures should be taken.
The maximum effect of Vesicare can be determined after 4 weeks at the earliest.4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
\*\*Pharmacological interactions\*\*
Concomitant medication with other medicinal products with anticholinergic properties may result in more pronounced therapeutic effects and undesirable effects. An interval of approximately one week should be allowed after stopping treatment with Vesicare, before commencing other anticholinergic therapy. The therapeutic effect of solifenacin may be reduced by concomitant administration of cholinergic receptor agonists.
Solifenacin can reduce the effect of medicinal products that stimulate the motility of the gastro-intestinal tract, such as metoclopramide and cisapride.
\*\*Pharmacokinetic interactions\*\*
\*In vitro\* studies have demonstrated that at therapeutic concentrations, solifenacin does not inhibit CYP1A1/2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4 derived from human liver microsomes. Therefore, solifenacin is unlikely to alter the clearance of drugs metabolised by these CYP enzymes.
\*\*Effect of other medicinal products on the pharmacokinetics of solifenacin\*\*
Solifenacin is metabolised by CYP3A4. Simultaneous administration of ketoconazole (200 mg/day), a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, resulted in a two-fold increase of the AUC of solifenacin, while ketoconazole at a dose of 400 mg/day resulted in a three-fold increase of the AUC of solifenacin. Therefore, the maximum dose of Vesicare should be restricted to 5 mg, when used simultaneously with ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, itraconazole) (see Section 4.2).
Simultaneous treatment of solifenacin and a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is contra-indicated in patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment.
The effects of enzyme induction on the pharmacokinetics of solifenacin and its metabolites have not been studied as well as the effect of higher affinity CYP3A4 substrates on solifenacin exposure. Since solifenacin is metabolised by CYP3A4, pharmacokinetic interactions are possible with other CYP3A4 substrates with higher affinity (e.g. verapamil, diltiazem) and CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepin).
\*\*Effect of solifenacin on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products\*\*
\*Oral Contraceptives\*
Intake of Vesicare showed no pharmacokinetic interaction of solifenacin on combined oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel).
\*Warfarin\*
Intake of Vesicare did not alter the pharmacokinetics of \*R\*-warfarin or \*S-\*warfarin or their effect on prothrombin time.
\*Digoxin\*
Intake of Vesicare showed no effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
\*\*Pregnancy\*\*
No clinical data are available from women who became pregnant while taking solifenacin. Animal studies do not indicate direct harmful effects on fertility, embryonal / foetal development or parturition (see Section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women.
\*\*Breast-feeding\*\*
No data on the excretion of solifenacin in human milk are available. In mice, solifenacin and/or its metabolites was excreted in milk, and caused a dose dependent failure to thrive in neonatal mice (see Section 5.3). The use of Vesicare should therefore be avoided during breast-feeding.4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Since solifenacin, like other anticholinergics may cause blurred vision, and, uncommonly, somnolence and fatigue (see section 4.8. undesirable effects), the ability to drive and use machines may be negatively affected.4.8 Undesirable effects
\*\*Summary of the safety profile\*\*
Due to the pharmacological effect of solifenacin, Vesicare may cause anticholinergic undesirable effects of (in general) mild or moderate severity. The frequency of anticholinergic undesirable effects is dose related.
The most commonly reported adverse reaction with Vesicare was dry mouth. It occurred in 11% of patients treated with 5 mg once daily, in 22% of patients treated with 10 mg once daily and in 4% of placebo-treated patients. The severity of dry mouth was generally mild and did only occasionally lead to discontinuation of treatment. In general, medicinal product compliance was very high (approximately 99%) and approximately 90% of the patients treated with Vesicare completed the full study period of 12 weeks treatment.
\*\*Tabulated list of adverse reactions\*\*
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*MedDRA system organ class\*\* | \*\*Very common\*\* \*\*≥1/10\*\* | \*\*Common\*\* \*\*≥1/100, <1/10\*\* | \*\*Uncommon\*\* \*\*≥1/1000, <1/100\*\* | \*\*Rare\*\* \*\*≥ 1/10000, <1/1000\*\* | \*\*Very rare\*\* \*\*<1/10,000\*\* | \*\*Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | | | Urinary tract infection Cystitis | | | |
| Immune system disorders | | | | | | Anaphylactic reaction\\* |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | | | | | | Decreased appetite\\* Hyperkalaemia\\* |
| Psychiatric disorders | | | | | Hallucinations\\* Confusional state\\* | Delirium\\* |
| Nervous system disorders | | | Somnolence Dysgeusia | Dizziness\\*, Headache\\* | | |
| Eye disorders | | Blurred vision | Dry eyes | | | Glaucoma\\* |
| Cardiac disorders | | | | | | Torsade de Pointes\\* Electrocardiogram QT prolonged\\* Atrial fibrillation\\* Palpitations\\* Tachycardia\\* |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | | | Nasal dryness | | | Dysphonia\\* |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Dry mouth | Constipation Nausea Dyspepsia Abdominal pain | Gastro-oesophageal reflux diseases Dry throat | Colonic obstruction Faecal impaction, Vomiting\\* | | Ileus\\* Abdominal discomfort\\* |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | | | | | | Liver disorder\\* Liver function test abnormal\\* |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | | | Dry skin | Pruritus\\*, Rash\\* | Erythema multiforme\\*, Urticaria\\*, Angioedema\\* | Exfoliative dermatitis\\* |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | | | | | | Muscular weakness\\* |
| Renal and urinary disorders | | | Difficulty in micturition | Urinary retention | | Renal impairment\\* |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | | | Fatigue Peripheral oedema | | | |
\\*observed post-marketing
\*\*Reporting of suspected adverse reactions\*\*
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.4.9 Overdose
\*\*Symptoms\*\*
Overdosage with solifenacin succinate can potentially result in severe anticholinergic effects. The highest dose of solifenacin succinate accidentally given to a single patient was 280 mg in a 5 hour period, resulting in mental status changes not requiring hospitalization.
\*\*Treatment\*\*
In the event of overdose with solifenacin succinate the patient should be treated with activated charcoal. Gastric lavage is useful if performed within 1 hour, but vomiting should not be induced.
As for other anticholinergics, symptoms can be treated as follows:
- Severe central anticholinergic effects such as hallucinations or pronounced excitation: treat with physostigmine or carbachol.
- Convulsions or pronounced excitation: treat with benzodiazepines.
- Respiratory insufficiency: treat with artificial respiration.
- Tachycardia: treat with beta-blockers.
- Urinary retention: treat with catheterisation.
- Mydriasis: treat with pilocarpine eye drops and/or place patient in dark room.
As with other antimuscarinics, in case of overdosing, specific attention should be paid to patients with known risk for QT-prolongation (i.e. hypokalaemia, bradycardia and concurrent administration of medicinal products known to prolong QT-interval) and relevant pre-existing cardiac diseases (i.e. myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure).
- Instruction Pharmacology
- 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Urinary antispasmodics, ATC code: G04B D08.
\*\*Mechanism of action\*\*
Solifenacin is a competitive, specific cholinergic-receptor antagonist.
The urinary bladder is innervated by parasympathetic cholinergic nerves. Acetylcholine contracts the detrusor smooth muscle through muscarinic receptors of which the M3 subtype is predominantly involved. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies indicate that solifenacin is a competitive inhibitor of the muscarinic M3 subtype receptor. In addition, solifenacin showed to be a specific antagonist for muscarinic receptors by displaying low or no affinity for various other receptors and ion channels tested.
\*\*Pharmacodynamic effects\*\*
Treatment with Vesicare in doses of 5 mg and 10 mg daily was studied in several double blind, randomised, controlled clinical trials in men and women with overactive bladder.
As shown in the table below, both the 5 mg and 10 mg doses of Vesicare produced statistically significant improvements in the primary and secondary endpoints compared with placebo. Efficacy was observed within one week of starting treatment and stabilises over a period of 12 weeks. A long-term open label study demonstrated that efficacy was maintained for at least 12 months. After 12 weeks of treatment approximately 50% of patients suffering from incontinence before treatment were free of incontinence episodes, and in addition 35% of patients achieved a micturition frequency of less than 8 micturitions per day. Treatment of the symptoms of overactive bladder also results in a benefit on a number of Quality of Life measures, such as general health perception, incontinence impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, emotions, symptom severity, severity measures and sleep/energy.
\*Results (pooled data) of four controlled Phase 3 studies with a treatment duration of 12 weeks\*
| | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | \*\*Placebo\*\* | \*\*Vesicare 5 mg o.d.\*\* | \*\*Vesicare 10 mg o.d.\*\* | \*\*Tolterodine2 mg b.i.d.\*\* |
| \*\*No. of micturitions/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 11.9 1.4 (12%) 1138 | 12.1 2.3 (19%) 552 <0.001 | 11.9 2.7 (23%) 1158 <0.001 | 12.1 1.9 (16%) 250 0.004 |
| \*\*No. of urgency episodes/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 6.3 2.0 (32%) 1124 | 5.9 2.9 (49%) 548 <0.001 | 6.2 3.4 (55%) 1151 <0.001 | 5.4 2.1 (39%) 250 0.031 |
| \*\*No. of incontinence episodes/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 2.9 1.1 (38%) 781 | 2.6 1.5 (58%) 314 <0.001 | 2.9 1.8 (62%) 778 <0.001 | 2.3 1.1 (48%) 157 0.009 |
| \*\*No. of nocturia episodes/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 1.8 0.4 (22%) 1005 | 2.0 0.6 (30%) 494 0.025 | 1.8 0.6 (33%) 1035 <0.001 | 1.9 0.5 (26%) 232 0.199 |
| \*\*Volume voided/micturition\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean increase from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 166 ml 9 ml (5%) 1135 | 146 ml 32 ml (21%) 552 <0.001 | 163 ml 43 ml (26%) 1156 <0.001 | 147 ml 24 ml (16%) 250 <0.001 |
| \*\*No. of pads/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 3.0 0.8 (27%) 238 | 2.8 1.3 (46%) 236 <0.001 | 2.7 1.3 (48%) 242 <0.001 | 2.7 1.0 (37%) 250 0.010 |
\*\*Note:\*\* In 4 of the pivotal studies, Vesicare 10 mg and placebo were used. In 2 out of the 4 studies also Vesicare 5 mg was used and one of the studies included tolterodine 2 mg bid.
Not all parameters and treatment groups were evaluated in each individual study. Therefore, the numbers of patients listed may deviate per parameter and treatment group.
\\* P-value for the pair wise comparison to placebo5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
\*\*Absorption\*\*
After intake of Vesicare tablets, maximum solifenacin plasma concentrations (Cmax) are reached after 3 to 8 hours. The tmax is independent of the dose. The Cmax and area under the curve (AUC) increase in proportion to the dose between 5 to 40 mg. Absolute bioavailability is approximately 90%.
Food intake does not affect the Cmax and AUC of solifenacin.
\*\*Distribution\*\*
The apparent volume of distribution of solifenacin following intravenous administration is about 600 L. Solifenacin is to a great extent (approximately 98%) bound to plasma proteins, primarily α1-acid glycoprotein.
\*\*Biotransformation\*\*
Solifenacin is extensively metabolised by the liver, primarily by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). However, alternative metabolic pathways exist, that can contribute to the metabolism of solifenacin. The systemic clearance of solifenacin is about 9.5 L/h and the terminal half life of solifenacin is 45 - 68 hours. After oral dosing, one pharmacologically active (4R-hydroxy solifenacin) and three inactive metabolites (N-glucuronide, N-oxide and 4R-hydroxy-N-oxide of solifenacin) have been identified in plasma in addition to solifenacin.
\*\*Elimination\*\*
After a single administration of 10 mg [14C-labelled]-solifenacin, about 70% of the radioactivity was detected in urine and 23% in faeces over 26 days. In urine, approximately 11% of the radioactivity is recovered as unchanged active substance; about 18% as the N-oxide metabolite, 9% as the 4R-hydroxy-N-oxide metabolite and 8% as the 4R-hydroxy metabolite (active metabolite).
\*\*Linearity/non-linearity\*\*
Pharmacokinetics are linear in the therapeutic dose range.
\*\*Other special populations\*\*
\*Elderly\*
No dosage adjustment based on patient age is required. Studies in elderly have shown that the exposure to solifenacin, expressed as the AUC, after administration of solifenacin succinate (5 mg and 10 mg once daily) was similar in healthy elderly subjects (aged 65 through 80 years) and healthy young subjects (aged less than 55 years). The mean rate of absorption expressed as tmax was slightly slower in the elderly and the terminal half-life was approximately 20% longer in elderly subjects. These modest differences were considered not clinically significant.
The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin have not been established in children and adolescents.
\*Gender\*
The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin are not influenced by gender.
\*Race\*
The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin are not influenced by race.
\*Renal impairment\*
The AUC and Cmax of solifenacin in mild and moderate renally impaired patients, was not significantly different from that found in healthy volunteers. In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min) exposure to solifenacin was significantly greater than in the controls with increases in Cmax of about 30%, AUC of more than 100% and t½ of more than 60%. A statistically significant relationship was observed between creatinine clearance and solifenacin clearance.
Pharmacokinetics in patients undergoing haemodialysis have not been studied.
\*Hepatic impairment\*
In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) the Cmax is not affected, AUC increased with 60% and t½ doubled. Pharmacokinetics of solifenacin in patients with severe hepatic impairment have not been studied.5.3 Preclinical safety data
Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, fertility, embryofetal development, genotoxicity, and carcinogenic potential. In the pre- and postnatal development study in mice, solifenacin treatment of the mother during lactation caused dose-dependent lower postpartum survival rate, decreased pup weight and slower physical development at clinically relevant levels. Dose related increased mortality without preceding clinical signs occurred in juvenile mice treated from day 10 or 21 after birth with doses that achieved a pharmacological effect and both groups had higher mortality compared to adult mice. In juvenile mice treated from postnatal day 10, plasma exposure was higher than in adult mice; from postnatal day 21 onwards, the systemic exposure was comparable to adult mice. The clinical implications of the increased mortality in juvenile mice are not known.
- Instruction Pharmaceutical Particulars
- 6.1 List of excipients
\*\*Core tablet\*\*
Maize starch
Lactose monohydrate
Hypromellose
Magnesium stearate
\*\*Film coating\*\*
Macrogol 8000
Talc
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Yellow ferric oxide (E172) – Vesicare 5mg
Red ferric oxide (E172) – Vesicare 10mg6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.6.3 Shelf life
3 years.
After first opening of the bottles, the tablets can be stored for 6 months. Keep the bottle tightly closed6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.6.5 Nature and contents of container
\*\*Container\*\*
The tablets are packed in PVC/Aluminium blisters or in HDPE bottles with PP cap.
\*Pack sizes in blisters:\*
3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 90,100 or 200 tablets (not all pack sizes may be marketed).
\*Pack sizes in bottles:\*
100 tablets (not all pack sizes may be marketed).6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
No special requirements.
- Instruction Content
- ## Composition
Vesicare 5 mg film-coated tablet:
Each tablet contains 5 mg solifenacin succinate, corresponding to 3.8 mg solifenacin.
\*\*Excipient(s) with known effect\*\*: lactose monohydrate (107.5 mg)
Vesicare 10 mg film-coated tablet:
Each tablet contains 10 mg solifenacin succinate, corresponding to 7.5 mg solifenacin.
\*\*Excipient(s) with known effect\*\*: lactose monohydrate (102.5 mg)
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
## Pharmaceutical Form
Film-coated tablets.
Vesicare 5 mg film-coated tablet:
Each 5 mg tablet is a round, light-yellow tablet marked with the  logo and “150” on the same side.
Vesicare 10 mg film-coated tablet:
Each 10 mg tablet is a round, light-pink tablet marked with the  logo and “151”on the same side.
## Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Symptomatic treatment of urge incontinence and/or increased urinary frequency and urgency as may occur in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.4.2 Posology and method of administration
\*\*Posology\*\*
\*Adults, including the elderly\*
The recommended dose is 5 mg solifenacin succinate once daily. If needed, the dose may be increased to 10 mg solifenacin succinate once daily.
\*Paediatric population\*
The safety and efficacy of Vesicare in children have not yet been established. Therefore, Vesicare should not be used in children.
\*Patients with renal impairment\*
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance > 30 ml/min). Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily (see Section 5.2).
\*Patients with hepatic impairment\*
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily (see Section 5.2).
\*Potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4\*
The maximum dose of Vesicare should be limited to 5 mg when treated simultaneously with ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4-inhibitors e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, itraconazole (see Section 4.5).
\*\*Method of administration\*\*
Vesicare should be taken orally and should be swallowed whole with liquids. It can be taken with or without food.4.3 Contraindications
Solifenacin is contraindicated in patients with urinary retention, severe gastro-intestinal condition (including toxic megacolon), myasthenia gravis or narrow-angle glaucoma and in patients at risk for these conditions.
- Patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in 6.1.
- Patients undergoing haemodialysis (see Section 5.2).
- Patients with severe hepatic impairment (see Section 5.2).
- Patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment and who are on treatment with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, e.g. ketoconazole (see Section 4.5).4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Other causes of frequent urination (heart failure or renal disease) should be assessed before treatment with Vesicare. If urinary tract infection is present, an appropriate antibacterial therapy should be started.
Vesicare should be used with caution in patients with:
- clinically significant bladder outflow obstruction at risk of urinary retention.
- gastrointestinal obstructive disorders.
- risk of decreased gastrointestinal motility.
- severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min; see Section 4.2 and 5.2), and doses should not exceed 5 mg for these patients.
- moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9; see Section 4.2 and 5.2), and doses should not exceed 5 mg for these patients.
- concomitant use of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, e.g. ketoconazole (see 4.2 and 4.5).
- hiatus hernia/gastro-oesophageal reflux and/or who are concurrently taking medicinal products (such as bisphosphonates) that can cause or exacerbate oesophagitis.
- autonomic neuropathy.
QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have been observed in patients with risk factors, such as pre-existing long QT syndrome and hypokalaemia.
Safety and efficacy have not yet been established in patients with a neurogenic cause for detrusor overactivity.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
Angioedema with airway obstruction has been reported in some patients on solifenacin succinate. If angioedema occurs, solifenacin succinate should be discontinued and appropriate therapy and/or measures should be taken.
Anaphylactic reaction has been reported in some patients treated with solifenacin succinate. In patients who develop anaphylactic reactions, solifenacin succinate should be discontinued and appropriate therapy and/or measures should be taken.
The maximum effect of Vesicare can be determined after 4 weeks at the earliest.4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
\*\*Pharmacological interactions\*\*
Concomitant medication with other medicinal products with anticholinergic properties may result in more pronounced therapeutic effects and undesirable effects. An interval of approximately one week should be allowed after stopping treatment with Vesicare, before commencing other anticholinergic therapy. The therapeutic effect of solifenacin may be reduced by concomitant administration of cholinergic receptor agonists.
Solifenacin can reduce the effect of medicinal products that stimulate the motility of the gastro-intestinal tract, such as metoclopramide and cisapride.
\*\*Pharmacokinetic interactions\*\*
\*In vitro\* studies have demonstrated that at therapeutic concentrations, solifenacin does not inhibit CYP1A1/2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4 derived from human liver microsomes. Therefore, solifenacin is unlikely to alter the clearance of drugs metabolised by these CYP enzymes.
\*\*Effect of other medicinal products on the pharmacokinetics of solifenacin\*\*
Solifenacin is metabolised by CYP3A4. Simultaneous administration of ketoconazole (200 mg/day), a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, resulted in a two-fold increase of the AUC of solifenacin, while ketoconazole at a dose of 400 mg/day resulted in a three-fold increase of the AUC of solifenacin. Therefore, the maximum dose of Vesicare should be restricted to 5 mg, when used simultaneously with ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, itraconazole) (see Section 4.2).
Simultaneous treatment of solifenacin and a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is contra-indicated in patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment.
The effects of enzyme induction on the pharmacokinetics of solifenacin and its metabolites have not been studied as well as the effect of higher affinity CYP3A4 substrates on solifenacin exposure. Since solifenacin is metabolised by CYP3A4, pharmacokinetic interactions are possible with other CYP3A4 substrates with higher affinity (e.g. verapamil, diltiazem) and CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepin).
\*\*Effect of solifenacin on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products\*\*
\*Oral Contraceptives\*
Intake of Vesicare showed no pharmacokinetic interaction of solifenacin on combined oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel).
\*Warfarin\*
Intake of Vesicare did not alter the pharmacokinetics of \*R\*-warfarin or \*S-\*warfarin or their effect on prothrombin time.
\*Digoxin\*
Intake of Vesicare showed no effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
\*\*Pregnancy\*\*
No clinical data are available from women who became pregnant while taking solifenacin. Animal studies do not indicate direct harmful effects on fertility, embryonal / foetal development or parturition (see Section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women.
\*\*Breast-feeding\*\*
No data on the excretion of solifenacin in human milk are available. In mice, solifenacin and/or its metabolites was excreted in milk, and caused a dose dependent failure to thrive in neonatal mice (see Section 5.3). The use of Vesicare should therefore be avoided during breast-feeding.4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Since solifenacin, like other anticholinergics may cause blurred vision, and, uncommonly, somnolence and fatigue (see section 4.8. undesirable effects), the ability to drive and use machines may be negatively affected.4.8 Undesirable effects
\*\*Summary of the safety profile\*\*
Due to the pharmacological effect of solifenacin, Vesicare may cause anticholinergic undesirable effects of (in general) mild or moderate severity. The frequency of anticholinergic undesirable effects is dose related.
The most commonly reported adverse reaction with Vesicare was dry mouth. It occurred in 11% of patients treated with 5 mg once daily, in 22% of patients treated with 10 mg once daily and in 4% of placebo-treated patients. The severity of dry mouth was generally mild and did only occasionally lead to discontinuation of treatment. In general, medicinal product compliance was very high (approximately 99%) and approximately 90% of the patients treated with Vesicare completed the full study period of 12 weeks treatment.
\*\*Tabulated list of adverse reactions\*\*
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \*\*MedDRA system organ class\*\* | \*\*Very common\*\* \*\*≥1/10\*\* | \*\*Common\*\* \*\*≥1/100, <1/10\*\* | \*\*Uncommon\*\* \*\*≥1/1000, <1/100\*\* | \*\*Rare\*\* \*\*≥ 1/10000, <1/1000\*\* | \*\*Very rare\*\* \*\*<1/10,000\*\* | \*\*Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)\*\* |
| Infections and infestations | | | Urinary tract infection Cystitis | | | |
| Immune system disorders | | | | | | Anaphylactic reaction\\* |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | | | | | | Decreased appetite\\* Hyperkalaemia\\* |
| Psychiatric disorders | | | | | Hallucinations\\* Confusional state\\* | Delirium\\* |
| Nervous system disorders | | | Somnolence Dysgeusia | Dizziness\\*, Headache\\* | | |
| Eye disorders | | Blurred vision | Dry eyes | | | Glaucoma\\* |
| Cardiac disorders | | | | | | Torsade de Pointes\\* Electrocardiogram QT prolonged\\* Atrial fibrillation\\* Palpitations\\* Tachycardia\\* |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | | | Nasal dryness | | | Dysphonia\\* |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Dry mouth | Constipation Nausea Dyspepsia Abdominal pain | Gastro-oesophageal reflux diseases Dry throat | Colonic obstruction Faecal impaction, Vomiting\\* | | Ileus\\* Abdominal discomfort\\* |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | | | | | | Liver disorder\\* Liver function test abnormal\\* |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | | | Dry skin | Pruritus\\*, Rash\\* | Erythema multiforme\\*, Urticaria\\*, Angioedema\\* | Exfoliative dermatitis\\* |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | | | | | | Muscular weakness\\* |
| Renal and urinary disorders | | | Difficulty in micturition | Urinary retention | | Renal impairment\\* |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | | | Fatigue Peripheral oedema | | | |
\\*observed post-marketing
\*\*Reporting of suspected adverse reactions\*\*
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.4.9 Overdose
\*\*Symptoms\*\*
Overdosage with solifenacin succinate can potentially result in severe anticholinergic effects. The highest dose of solifenacin succinate accidentally given to a single patient was 280 mg in a 5 hour period, resulting in mental status changes not requiring hospitalization.
\*\*Treatment\*\*
In the event of overdose with solifenacin succinate the patient should be treated with activated charcoal. Gastric lavage is useful if performed within 1 hour, but vomiting should not be induced.
As for other anticholinergics, symptoms can be treated as follows:
- Severe central anticholinergic effects such as hallucinations or pronounced excitation: treat with physostigmine or carbachol.
- Convulsions or pronounced excitation: treat with benzodiazepines.
- Respiratory insufficiency: treat with artificial respiration.
- Tachycardia: treat with beta-blockers.
- Urinary retention: treat with catheterisation.
- Mydriasis: treat with pilocarpine eye drops and/or place patient in dark room.
As with other antimuscarinics, in case of overdosing, specific attention should be paid to patients with known risk for QT-prolongation (i.e. hypokalaemia, bradycardia and concurrent administration of medicinal products known to prolong QT-interval) and relevant pre-existing cardiac diseases (i.e. myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure).
## Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Urinary antispasmodics, ATC code: G04B D08.
\*\*Mechanism of action\*\*
Solifenacin is a competitive, specific cholinergic-receptor antagonist.
The urinary bladder is innervated by parasympathetic cholinergic nerves. Acetylcholine contracts the detrusor smooth muscle through muscarinic receptors of which the M3 subtype is predominantly involved. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies indicate that solifenacin is a competitive inhibitor of the muscarinic M3 subtype receptor. In addition, solifenacin showed to be a specific antagonist for muscarinic receptors by displaying low or no affinity for various other receptors and ion channels tested.
\*\*Pharmacodynamic effects\*\*
Treatment with Vesicare in doses of 5 mg and 10 mg daily was studied in several double blind, randomised, controlled clinical trials in men and women with overactive bladder.
As shown in the table below, both the 5 mg and 10 mg doses of Vesicare produced statistically significant improvements in the primary and secondary endpoints compared with placebo. Efficacy was observed within one week of starting treatment and stabilises over a period of 12 weeks. A long-term open label study demonstrated that efficacy was maintained for at least 12 months. After 12 weeks of treatment approximately 50% of patients suffering from incontinence before treatment were free of incontinence episodes, and in addition 35% of patients achieved a micturition frequency of less than 8 micturitions per day. Treatment of the symptoms of overactive bladder also results in a benefit on a number of Quality of Life measures, such as general health perception, incontinence impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, emotions, symptom severity, severity measures and sleep/energy.
\*Results (pooled data) of four controlled Phase 3 studies with a treatment duration of 12 weeks\*
| | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | \*\*Placebo\*\* | \*\*Vesicare 5 mg o.d.\*\* | \*\*Vesicare 10 mg o.d.\*\* | \*\*Tolterodine2 mg b.i.d.\*\* |
| \*\*No. of micturitions/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 11.9 1.4 (12%) 1138 | 12.1 2.3 (19%) 552 <0.001 | 11.9 2.7 (23%) 1158 <0.001 | 12.1 1.9 (16%) 250 0.004 |
| \*\*No. of urgency episodes/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 6.3 2.0 (32%) 1124 | 5.9 2.9 (49%) 548 <0.001 | 6.2 3.4 (55%) 1151 <0.001 | 5.4 2.1 (39%) 250 0.031 |
| \*\*No. of incontinence episodes/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 2.9 1.1 (38%) 781 | 2.6 1.5 (58%) 314 <0.001 | 2.9 1.8 (62%) 778 <0.001 | 2.3 1.1 (48%) 157 0.009 |
| \*\*No. of nocturia episodes/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 1.8 0.4 (22%) 1005 | 2.0 0.6 (30%) 494 0.025 | 1.8 0.6 (33%) 1035 <0.001 | 1.9 0.5 (26%) 232 0.199 |
| \*\*Volume voided/micturition\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean increase from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 166 ml 9 ml (5%) 1135 | 146 ml 32 ml (21%) 552 <0.001 | 163 ml 43 ml (26%) 1156 <0.001 | 147 ml 24 ml (16%) 250 <0.001 |
| \*\*No. of pads/24 h\*\* | | | | |
| Mean baseline Mean reduction from baseline % change from baseline n p-value\\* | 3.0 0.8 (27%) 238 | 2.8 1.3 (46%) 236 <0.001 | 2.7 1.3 (48%) 242 <0.001 | 2.7 1.0 (37%) 250 0.010 |
\*\*Note:\*\* In 4 of the pivotal studies, Vesicare 10 mg and placebo were used. In 2 out of the 4 studies also Vesicare 5 mg was used and one of the studies included tolterodine 2 mg bid.
Not all parameters and treatment groups were evaluated in each individual study. Therefore, the numbers of patients listed may deviate per parameter and treatment group.
\\* P-value for the pair wise comparison to placebo5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
\*\*Absorption\*\*
After intake of Vesicare tablets, maximum solifenacin plasma concentrations (Cmax) are reached after 3 to 8 hours. The tmax is independent of the dose. The Cmax and area under the curve (AUC) increase in proportion to the dose between 5 to 40 mg. Absolute bioavailability is approximately 90%.
Food intake does not affect the Cmax and AUC of solifenacin.
\*\*Distribution\*\*
The apparent volume of distribution of solifenacin following intravenous administration is about 600 L. Solifenacin is to a great extent (approximately 98%) bound to plasma proteins, primarily α1-acid glycoprotein.
\*\*Biotransformation\*\*
Solifenacin is extensively metabolised by the liver, primarily by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). However, alternative metabolic pathways exist, that can contribute to the metabolism of solifenacin. The systemic clearance of solifenacin is about 9.5 L/h and the terminal half life of solifenacin is 45 - 68 hours. After oral dosing, one pharmacologically active (4R-hydroxy solifenacin) and three inactive metabolites (N-glucuronide, N-oxide and 4R-hydroxy-N-oxide of solifenacin) have been identified in plasma in addition to solifenacin.
\*\*Elimination\*\*
After a single administration of 10 mg [14C-labelled]-solifenacin, about 70% of the radioactivity was detected in urine and 23% in faeces over 26 days. In urine, approximately 11% of the radioactivity is recovered as unchanged active substance; about 18% as the N-oxide metabolite, 9% as the 4R-hydroxy-N-oxide metabolite and 8% as the 4R-hydroxy metabolite (active metabolite).
\*\*Linearity/non-linearity\*\*
Pharmacokinetics are linear in the therapeutic dose range.
\*\*Other special populations\*\*
\*Elderly\*
No dosage adjustment based on patient age is required. Studies in elderly have shown that the exposure to solifenacin, expressed as the AUC, after administration of solifenacin succinate (5 mg and 10 mg once daily) was similar in healthy elderly subjects (aged 65 through 80 years) and healthy young subjects (aged less than 55 years). The mean rate of absorption expressed as tmax was slightly slower in the elderly and the terminal half-life was approximately 20% longer in elderly subjects. These modest differences were considered not clinically significant.
The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin have not been established in children and adolescents.
\*Gender\*
The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin are not influenced by gender.
\*Race\*
The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin are not influenced by race.
\*Renal impairment\*
The AUC and Cmax of solifenacin in mild and moderate renally impaired patients, was not significantly different from that found in healthy volunteers. In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min) exposure to solifenacin was significantly greater than in the controls with increases in Cmax of about 30%, AUC of more than 100% and t½ of more than 60%. A statistically significant relationship was observed between creatinine clearance and solifenacin clearance.
Pharmacokinetics in patients undergoing haemodialysis have not been studied.
\*Hepatic impairment\*
In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) the Cmax is not affected, AUC increased with 60% and t½ doubled. Pharmacokinetics of solifenacin in patients with severe hepatic impairment have not been studied.5.3 Preclinical safety data
Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, fertility, embryofetal development, genotoxicity, and carcinogenic potential. In the pre- and postnatal development study in mice, solifenacin treatment of the mother during lactation caused dose-dependent lower postpartum survival rate, decreased pup weight and slower physical development at clinically relevant levels. Dose related increased mortality without preceding clinical signs occurred in juvenile mice treated from day 10 or 21 after birth with doses that achieved a pharmacological effect and both groups had higher mortality compared to adult mice. In juvenile mice treated from postnatal day 10, plasma exposure was higher than in adult mice; from postnatal day 21 onwards, the systemic exposure was comparable to adult mice. The clinical implications of the increased mortality in juvenile mice are not known.
## Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List of excipients
\*\*Core tablet\*\*
Maize starch
Lactose monohydrate
Hypromellose
Magnesium stearate
\*\*Film coating\*\*
Macrogol 8000
Talc
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Yellow ferric oxide (E172) – Vesicare 5mg
Red ferric oxide (E172) – Vesicare 10mg6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.6.3 Shelf life
3 years.
After first opening of the bottles, the tablets can be stored for 6 months. Keep the bottle tightly closed6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.6.5 Nature and contents of container
\*\*Container\*\*
The tablets are packed in PVC/Aluminium blisters or in HDPE bottles with PP cap.
\*Pack sizes in blisters:\*
3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 90,100 or 200 tablets (not all pack sizes may be marketed).
\*Pack sizes in bottles:\*
100 tablets (not all pack sizes may be marketed).6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
No special requirements.
