VESIcare is approved to treat the symptoms of an overactive bladder. The drug relaxes the bladder muscle, which helps reduce the frequency of uncontrollable bladder contractions that are responsible for symptoms such as the sudden urge to urinate. Although most people tolerate the medication well, side effects are possible. Some of the common side effects of VESIcare include dry mouth, constipation, and urinary tract infection.
- Sudden, frequent urges to urinate (known as urinary urgency).
- Leaking accidents (known as urinary incontinence or urge incontinence)
- Frequent urination (known as urinary frequency).
VESIcare is made jointly by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline.
VESIcare belongs to a group of drugs known as antimuscarinic or anticholinergic medications. It works by blocking specific receptors in the bladder, called muscarinic receptors, which helps the muscles of the bladder to relax. Since an overactive bladder is often due to muscle
contractions that are too frequent and uncontrollable, VESIcare can help relieve many associated symptoms.
Studies have shown VESIcare to be effective in relieving many of the symptoms of an overactive bladder. In clinical studies, people who took the drug significantly reduced the frequency of wetting accidents and needed to urinate less frequently. Also, people who took VESIcare were able to pass more urine each time they used the bathroom (the frequent muscle contractions of an overactive bladder usually prevent the bladder from holding a normal amount of urine).
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