Ditropan vs. VESIcare

Ditropan (oxybutynin chloride) and VESIcare (tolterodine tartarate) are antispasmodics and anticholinergics used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination, incontinence (urine leakage), and increased nighttime urination.

Side effects of Ditropan and VESIcare that are similar include dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, dry eyes, stomach pain or upset, constipation, diarrhea, or headache.

Side effects of Ditropan that are different from VESIcare include nausea, vomiting, unusual taste in mouth, dry/flushed skin, weakness, sleep problems, or runny nose.

Side effects of VESIcare that are different from Ditropan include dry mouth or joint pain.

Both Ditropan and VESIcare may interact with antibiotics.

Ditropan may also interact with other bladder or urinary medications, glycopyrrolate, flecainide, mepenzolate, thioridazine, HIV/AIDS medicine, antifungal medications, atropine, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, irritable bowel medications, or antidepressants.

VESIcare may also interact with arsenic trioxide, chloroquine, halofantrine, cyclosporine, droperidol, narcotics, pentamidine, vinblastine, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, or heart rhythm medicines.

Common side effects of Ditropan include:

• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• dry eyes,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• stomach pain,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• unusual taste in mouth,
• dry/flushed skin,
• weakness,
• sleep problems, or
• runny nose.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Ditropan including:

• decreased sexual activity,
• difficulty urinating,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• signs of kidney infection (such as burning/painful/frequent urination, lower back pain, fever),
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion),
• swelling of arms/legs/ankles/feet,
• vision problems (including eye pain),
• seizures, or
• stomach or intestinal blockage (such as persistent nausea or vomiting, or prolonged constipation).

Common side effects of VESIcare include:

• constipation,
• dry mouth,
• hoarse voice,
• dry eyes,
• blurred vision,
• nausea,
• loss of appetite,
• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired,
• weakness,
• fever,
• sore throat,
• body aches, or
• flu symptoms.

Ditropan (oxybutynin chloride) is an antispasmodic and anticholinergic used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination, incontinence (urine leakage), and increased night-time urination. Ditropan is available in generic form.

Vesicare (solifenacin) is a muscarinic receptor antagonist that reduces muscle spasms of the bladder muscles and is used to treat the symptoms of overactive bladder such as incontinence, urinary frequency, and urgency.

Some products that may adversely interact with Ditropan include other bladder or urinary medications, glycopyrrolate, flecainide, mepenzolate, thioridazine, HIV /AIDS medicine, antibiotics, antifungal medications, atropine, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, irritable bowel medications, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Ditropan should be used only when prescribed by your doctor during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Vesicare may be harmful to an unborn baby and should not be used by pregnant women. It is not known whether solifenacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The usual adult dose of Ditropan is one 5-mg tablet 2-3 times a day. The maximum recommended adult dose is one 5-mg tablet four times a day. The usual pediatric dose is one 5-mg tablet two times a day. The maximum recommended pediatric dose is one 5-mg tablet three times a day. Doses may be adjusted by your doctor.

The recommended dose of Vesicare is 5 mg administered as a tablet taken once daily. Vesicare may interact with azole antifungals.