Two medicines, side by side
Solifenacin vs tolterodine
Solifenacin and tolterodine are both labeled for overactive bladder. Drugs@FDA records approvals of solifenacin since 2004 and of tolterodine since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.162 per solifenacin 10 mg tablet and $0.268 per tolterodine tart ER 2 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the solifenacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026); the tolterodine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 9, 2026).
Highlights of the solifenacin record
Solifenacin (Vesicare) · label of February 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsSolifenacin Succinate Tablets are indicated for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Solifenacin Succinate Tablets are a muscarinic antagonist indicated for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 19, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 20 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.162 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the tolterodine record
Tolterodine (Detrol) · label of February 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules are an antimuscarinic indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. ( 1 ) Tolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency [ see CLINICAL STUDIES ( 14 ) ].
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 25, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.268 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Solifenacin label of February 4, 2026, Tolterodine label of February 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do solifenacin and tolterodine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class cholinergic muscarinic antagonists.
Generics: solifenacin since 2014; tolterodine since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Solifenacin | Tolterodine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Overactive bladder | Overactive bladder |
| Pharmacologic class | Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist | Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Solifenacin is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. Muscarinic receptors play an important role in several major cholinergically mediated functions, including contractions of urinary bladder smooth muscle. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination The elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) of solifenacin following chronic dosing is approximately 45-68 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 19, 2004 | March 25, 1998 |
| First generic approved | April 2, 2014 | September 25, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 20 labelers | 14 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.162 per tablet (Solifenacin 10 mg tablet) | $0.268 per capsule (Tolterodine tart ER 2 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -27% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,846 | 12,383 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Tolterodine label, drug interactionsConcomitant use with other anticholinergic agents may increase the frequency and/or severity of dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic pharmacological effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to solifenacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions