A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin succinate and extended release tolterodine at treating overactive bladder syndrome: results of the STAR trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two new generation antimuscarinics at their recommended doses for treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).


METHODS
A prospective, double blind, double-dummy, two-arm, parallel-group, 12-week study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of solifenacin 5 or 10 mg and tolterodine extended release (ER) 4 mg once daily in OAB patients. After 4 weeks of treatment patients had the option to request a dose increase but were dummied throughout as approved product labelling only allowed an increase for those on solifenacin.


RESULTS
Solifenacin, with a flexible dosing regimen, showed greater efficacy to tolterodine in decreasing urgency episodes, incontinence, urge incontinence and pad usage and increasing the volume voided per micturition. More solifenacin treated patients became continent and reported improvements in perception of bladder condition assessments. The majority of side effects were mild to moderate in nature, and discontinuations were comparable and low in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Solifenacin, with a flexible dosing regimen, was found to be superior to tolterodine ER with respect to the majority of the efficacy variables.
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Urology Research, South Yorkshire, UK. c.r.chapple@sheffield.ac.uk
C R
CR
Chapple
R
R
Martinez-Garcia
L
L
Selvaggi
P
P
Toozs-Hobson
W
W
Warnack
T
T
Drogendijk
D M
DM
Wright
J
J
Bolodeoku
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003408:Cresols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011812:Quinuclidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069464:Solifenacin Succinate; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003408:Cresols; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011812:Quinuclidines; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D000069464:Solifenacin Succinate