What is the use of Solay?: Understanding a Medication for Overactive Bladder

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

Millions of adults experience the disruptive symptoms of an overactive bladder, such as a sudden, urgent need to urinate. For many, managing this condition requires medication. The use of Solay (solifenacin) is centered on providing relief from these symptoms by helping to calm bladder muscle contractions.

Quick Summary

Solay (solifenacin) is a prescription medication for overactive bladder in adults and neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children. It works as an antimuscarinic agent to relax bladder muscles and reduce episodes of urgency, frequency, and incontinence.

Key Points

Bladder Relaxation: Solay (solifenacin) is an antimuscarinic drug that works by relaxing the bladder muscles, which helps the bladder hold more urine and reduces the urge to urinate.
Treats OAB and NDO: The medication is used to treat overactive bladder symptoms like urgency and frequent urination in adults and neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children aged two and older.
Common Side Effects: Common side effects include dry mouth and constipation, which occur due to the medication's anticholinergic effects on other parts of the body.
Serious Warnings: Serious side effects can include severe allergic reactions (angioedema), heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation), and urinary retention, especially in those with pre-existing bladder issues.
Prescribed Administration: Solay is administered according to a healthcare provider's prescription.
Avoid Overheating: Because solifenacin can decrease perspiration, it's important to be cautious during exercise or in hot weather to avoid overheating.
Drug Interactions: Use of Solay with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (like ketoconazole) and other drugs that prolong the QT interval requires dose adjustment and careful monitoring by a healthcare professional.

Introduction to Solay: A Treatment for Bladder Conditions

Solay, also known by its active ingredient solifenacin, is a prescription medication used to manage certain bladder conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticholinergics or antimuscarinics. The primary use of Solay is to treat symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) in adults and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children. Solifenacin is typically taken according to a prescribed schedule.

How Solay (Solifenacin) Works

Solay works by blocking the action of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors in the detrusor muscle, which is the smooth muscle in the bladder wall. This action causes the bladder muscles to relax, increasing the bladder's capacity and reducing the involuntary contractions that cause OAB symptoms. This helps to relieve symptoms such as sudden urges to urinate, frequent urination, and urge incontinence.

Primary Uses and Indications

The main uses for Solay are:

Overactive Bladder (OAB) in adults: To manage symptoms of urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence.
Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity (NDO) in pediatric patients: A liquid form (Vesicare LS) is used for children aged two and older with NDO, a bladder dysfunction linked to neurological conditions.

Administration

Solay is available as tablets and an oral suspension. How to take it depends on the form and the patient. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

Tablets (Adults):

Usually taken as prescribed, with or without food.
Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or chew.

Oral Suspension (Children):

Administration is typically once daily as directed by a healthcare provider.
Shake well before use.
Should not be taken with food due to taste impact.

Potential Side Effects

Solifenacin can cause side effects. It's important to be aware of these.

Common side effects often include:

Dry mouth
Constipation
Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Nausea

Seek immediate medical attention for serious side effects, such as:

Severe allergic reactions (angioedema), including swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing.
Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation), like irregular heartbeat or fainting.
Difficulty emptying the bladder completely (urinary retention).
Overheating (heatstroke) due to decreased sweating.

Comparison: Solay vs. Other OAB Medications

Solay is one of several anticholinergic medications for OAB. Other treatments include oxybutynin and mirabegron. Their mechanisms and side effects differ.


Feature	Solay (Solifenacin)	Oxybutynin	Mirabegron
Drug Class	Anticholinergic / Antimuscarinic	Anticholinergic / Antimuscarinic	Beta-3 Adrenergic Agonist
Mechanism	Relaxes bladder muscles by blocking muscarinic receptors	Relaxes bladder muscles by blocking muscarinic receptors	Relaxes bladder muscles by stimulating beta-3 receptors
Common Side Effects	Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision	Dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, blurred vision	Increased blood pressure, headaches, bladder infections
Onset of Action	Effects seen within 3-8 hours; full effect in 4-6 weeks	Can have a quicker onset but often requires administration multiple times a day	May also take several weeks for full effect
Administration	Oral tablet or suspension as prescribed	Oral tablets (immediate or extended-release), patches, or gel	Oral tablet as prescribed
Special Considerations	May increase risk of QT prolongation; requires consideration of interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors	Can cause more cognitive side effects in older patients	May increase blood pressure, so monitoring is important

Contraindications and Drug Interactions

Inform your doctor about your medical history and all medications you take. Solay should not be used in individuals with urinary or gastric retention, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, or a known allergy to solifenacin. Solay is processed by the liver enzyme CYP3A4. Taking it with strong inhibitors of this enzyme (like ketoconazole) can increase solifenacin levels, potentially requiring dosage adjustments. It can also affect heart rhythm, so caution is needed with other drugs that do the same.

Conclusion

The use of Solay (solifenacin) is a key treatment for the symptoms of overactive bladder in adults and neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children. It works by relaxing bladder muscles to reduce urgency, frequency, and incontinence. While effective for many, potential side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions must be considered. Always consult a healthcare professional to determine if Solay is appropriate for you.

For more in-depth information about this medication, consider consulting the official MedlinePlus drug information(https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605019.html).

Frequently Asked Questions

Solay, whose active ingredient is solifenacin, is used to treat symptoms of an overactive bladder (OAB) in adults, such as urinary urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. It is also used to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in pediatric patients.

The generic name for the medication Solay is solifenacin succinate.

Solay works by blocking the action of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors in the bladder wall, which relaxes the bladder muscle. This increases the bladder's capacity to hold urine and reduces uncontrolled contractions.

The most common side effects of Solay are dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision. Some people also experience dry eyes, nausea, or indigestion.

Yes, a liquid formulation of solifenacin (Vesicare LS) is approved for children aged two years and older to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Yes, Solay can interact with other drugs. It's important to tell your doctor if you take strong CYP3A4 inhibitors like ketoconazole, as the dosage may need to be adjusted. It also interacts with other medications that prolong the QT interval.

If you miss a prescribed dose of Solay, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take extra medication to make up for a missed dose.

Solay can begin to work within a few hours, but it may take several weeks (typically 4 to 6 weeks) to experience the full benefits of the medication.