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Vesicare (Solifenacin Succinate) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Angioedema and Anaphylactic Reactions

Angioedema of the face, lips, tongue, and/or larynx have been reported with solifenacin. In some cases angioedema occurred after the first dose. Cases of angioedema have been reported to occur hours after the first dose or after multiple doses. Angioedema associated with upper airway swelling may be life threatening. If involvement of the tongue, hypopharynx, or larynx occurs, solifenacin should be promptly discontinued and appropriate therapy and/or measures necessary to ensure a patent airway should be promptly provided.  Anaphylactic reactions have been reported rarely in patients treated with solifenacin succinate. Solifenacin succinate should not be used in patients with a known or suspected hypersensitivity to solifenacin succinate. In patients who develop anaphylactic reactions, solifenacin succinate should be discontinued and appropriate therapy and/or measures should be taken.

Urinary Retention

VESIcare, like other anticholinergic drugs, should be administered with caution to patients with clinically significant bladder outflow obstruction because of the risk of urinary retention [see Contraindications (4)].

Gastrointestinal Disorders

VESIcare, like other anticholinergics, should be used with caution in patients with decreased gastrointestinal motility [see Contraindications (4)].

Central Nervous System Effects

VESIcare is associated with anticholinergic central nervous system (CNS) effects [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. A variety of CNS anticholinergic effects have been reported, including headache, confusion, hallucinations and somnolence. Patients should be monitored for signs of anticholinergic CNS effects, particularly after beginning treatment or increasing the dose. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how VESIcare affects them. If a patient experiences anticholinergic CNS effects, dose reduction or drug discontinuation should be considered.

Controlled Narrow-Angle Glaucoma

VESIcare should be used with caution in patients being treated for narrow-angle glaucoma [see Contraindications (4)].

Hepatic Impairment

VESIcare should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Doses of VESIcare greater than 5 mg are not recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B). VESIcare is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].

Renal Impairment

VESIcare should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. Doses of VESIcare greater than 5 mg are not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Patients with Congenital or Acquired QT Prolongation

In a study of the effect of solifenacin on the QT interval in 76 healthy women [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)] the QT prolonging effect appeared less with solifenacin 10 mg than with 30 mg (three times the maximum recommended dose), and the effect of solifenacin 30 mg did not appear as large as that of the positive control moxifloxacin at its therapeutic dose. This observation should be considered in clinical decisions to prescribe VESIcare for patients with a known history of QT prolongation or patients who are taking medications known to prolong the QT interval.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Reproduction studies have been performed in mice, rats and rabbits. After oral administration of 14C-solifenacin succinate to pregnant mice, drug-related material was shown to cross the placental barrier. No embryotoxicity or teratogenicity was observed in mice treated with 1.2 times (30 mg/kg/day) the expected exposure at the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 10 mg. Administration of solifenacin succinate to pregnant mice at 3.6 times and greater (100 mg/kg/day and greater) the exposure at the MRHD, during the major period of organ development resulted in reduced fetal body weights. Administration of 7.9 times (250 mg/kg/day) the MRHD to pregnant mice resulted in an increased incidence of cleft palate. In utero and lactational exposures to maternal doses of solifenacin succinate of 3.6 times (100 mg/kg/day) the MRHD resulted in reduced peripartum and postnatal survival, reductions in body weight gain, and delayed physical development (eye opening and vaginal patency). An increase in the percentage of male offspring was also observed in litters from offspring exposed to maternal doses of 250 mg/kg/day. No embryotoxic effects were observed in rats at up to 50 mg/kg/day (<1 times the exposure at the MRHD) or in rabbits at up to 1.8 times (50 mg/kg/day) the exposure at the MRHD. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, VESIcare should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Labor and Delivery

The effect of VESIcare on labor and delivery in humans has not been studied.

There were no effects on natural delivery in mice treated with 1.2 times (30 mg/kg/day) the expected exposure at the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 10 mg. Administration of solifenacin succinate at 3.6 times (100 mg/kg/day) the exposure at the MRHD or greater increased peripartum pup mortality.

Nursing Mothers

After oral administration of 14C-solifenacin succinate to lactating mice, radioactivity was detected in maternal milk. There were no adverse observations in mice treated with 1.2 times (30 mg/kg/day) the expected exposure at the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD]. Pups of female mice treated with 3.6 times (100 mg/kg/day) the exposure at the MRHD or greater revealed reduced body weights, postpartum pup mortality or delays in the onset of reflex and physical development during the lactation period.

It is not known whether solifenacin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, VESIcare should not be administered during nursing. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue VESIcare in nursing mothers.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of VESIcare in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

In placebo-controlled clinical studies, similar safety and effectiveness were observed between older (623 patients ≥ 65 years and 189 patients ≥ 75 years) and younger patients (1188 patients < 65 years) treated with VESIcare.

Multiple dose studies of VESIcare in elderly volunteers (65 to 80 years) showed that Cmax, AUC and t1/2 values were 20-25% higher as compared to the younger volunteers (18 to 55 years).

Renal Impairment

VESIcare should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. There is a 2.1-fold increase in AUC and 1.6-fold increase in t1/2 of solifenacin in patients with severe renal impairment. Doses of VESIcare greater than 5 mg are not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7); Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Hepatic Impairment

VESIcare should be used with caution in patients with reduced hepatic function. There is a 2-fold increase in the t1/2 and 35% increase in AUC of solifenacin in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. Doses of VESIcare greater than 5 mg are not recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B). VESIcare is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6); Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

Gender

The pharmacokinetics of solifenacin is not significantly influenced by gender.

Page last updated: 2014-07-22

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