Solifenacin and tolterodine are equally effective in the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
Various antimuscarinic agents have been developed for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). More data comparing these agents are still required. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of solifenacin and tolterodine in Taiwanese patients with OAB symptoms.


METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized, open-label study. A total of 75 patients (25 men and 50 women) with OAB symptoms were randomized to treatment with solifenacin (n = 39) or tolterodine (n = 36). Efficacy and safety variables were assessed and compared with the baseline and between the two groups.


RESULTS
At week 12, solifenacin and tolterodine demonstrated equal efficacy in reducing the number of micturition (-2.56 ±3.31 vs. -2.44 ± 4.56, p = 0.58), urgency (-1.70 ± 3.07 vs. -1.15 ± 2.68, p =0.37) and incontinence (-2.79 ± 2.82 vs. -4.67 ± 9.29, p =0.28) episodes per 24 hours. There was no difference in improvement of the quality of life. The patient and physician assessments of treatment benefit were not statistically different for solifenacin and tolterodine (p = 0.23 and p = 0.52, respectively), with the majority showing benefits in both groups. The incidence of major adverse events, including dry mouth (18.0%vs. 8.3%, p = 0.31) and constipation (12.8%vs. 2.8%, p = 0.20) was not significantly different. Compared with baseline, the severity of dry mouth did not increase in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Both solifenacin and tolterodine are effective in treating key OAB symptoms, including urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence in the Taiwanese population. Both medications are comparably effective and safe, with the most common adverse effects being dry mouth and constipation.
Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen-Hsun
CH
Ho
Ting-Chen
TC
Chang
Ho-Hsiung
HH
Lin
Shih-Ping
SP
Liu
Kuo-How
KH
Huang
Hong-Jeng
HJ
Yu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003408:Cresols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011812:Quinuclidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069464:Solifenacin Succinate; D013624:Taiwan; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003408:Cresols; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011812:Quinuclidines; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D000069464:Solifenacin Succinate