solifenacin vs tolterodine
Side-by-side comparison of solifenacin and tolterodine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Vesicare
Detrol
Solifenacin (Vesicare) is a medicine that helps control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom so often.
Tolterodine extended-release capsules help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.
This medicine treats overactive bladder in adults. It helps with symptoms like needing to urinate urgently, frequent urination, and leaking urine. It works to reduce these urges and help you control your bladder.
This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps reduce leaking urine, the strong need to urinate, and frequent urination. These symptoms are also known as urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.
Solifenacin blocks certain receptors in the bladder called muscarinic receptors. By blocking these receptors, the bladder muscle relaxes. This helps to reduce the urge to urinate frequently and reduces leakage.
Tolterodine belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by blocking certain nerve signals to the bladder. This helps to relax the bladder muscles and reduce the urge to urinate.
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Urinary tract infection
- • Blurred vision
- • Dry mouth
- • Headache
- • Constipation
- • Abdominal pain
- Medicine not working 3,600
- Dry mouth 1,616
- Constipation 1,613
- Tiredness 1,275
- Using medicine for unapproved purpose 1,236
- The medicine is not working 466
- Falling down 407
- Feeling tired 406
- Feeling lightheaded 309
- Loose stools 308
This medicine may cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If this happens, stop taking solifenacin and get medical help right away. This medicine is not recommended if you have a bladder problem that makes it hard to empty your bladder. It is also not recommended if you have slow movement in your stomach or intestines. This medicine may cause sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.
Anaphylaxis and angioedema (severe allergic reactions) have happened with this drug. These reactions can cause difficulty breathing and require emergency treatment. Use caution if you have bladder problems, gastrointestinal issues, or glaucoma. This medicine can cause sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating heavy machinery.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if solifenacin can harm your unborn baby. It is also not known if solifenacin passes into breast milk.
It is not known if tolterodine is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if tolterodine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.
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How to Read This solifenacin vs tolterodine Comparison
solifenacin is classified in the Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder) drug class, while tolterodine sits within the Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, solifenacin has 9,340 submissions while tolterodine has 1,896. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between solifenacin and tolterodine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.