Toviaz (Fesoterodine Fumarate)

Toviaz (Fesoterodine) Medication Information

Uses

Toviaz (fesoterodine)  is a medication prescribed to treat overactive bladder with urinary urgency and frequency symptoms.  

Overactive bladder is when your bladder forces urine out at the wrong time.  Talk with your doctor if you have two or more of the following symptoms:

• Urinating 8 or more times during the day or 2 or more times during the night
• Having a sudden, urgent need to urinate immediately
• Leaking urine after a sudden urge to urinate

If you have an overactive bladder with at least two of these symptoms, Toviaz may be the right choice for you.  Toviaz treats these urges to urinate by blocking receptors in your bladder muscles.  When these receptors are blocked, bladder contractions are reduced, and the symptoms of urgency and frequency may get better or go away. 

Dosage

Toviaz (fesoterodine) is an extended-release tablet that comes in two different strengths: 4 milligrams (mg) and 8 mg.

The usual starting dose of Toviaz is 4 mg once daily with water.  

Take Toviaz around the same time each day.  It doesn’t matter if you take Toviaz with or without food.

Your doctor may increase your dose to 8 mg once daily after two weeks of treatment based on your body’s response to the medication, depending on your health conditions.  

Be sure to follow your doctor’s directions exactly. 

Precautions

Toviaz (fesoterodine) is not safe for everyone with an overactive bladder.  You should not take Toviaz if you have the following conditions:

• Liver problems
• Urinary retention (unable to empty your bladder)
• Gastric retention (delayed or slow emptying of your stomach) 
• Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
• Prior allergic reaction to Toviaz 

Toviaz should be used with caution in people with certain conditions, such as:

• Bladder obstruction
• Certain types of controlled glaucoma
• Kidney problems
• Myasthenia gravis
• Severe constipation
• Ulcerative colitis 
• Pregnancy or plan to become pregnant
• Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Side Effects

Like all prescription medications, Toviaz may cause common but usually mild side effects.  Some examples are:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Urinary tract infection
• Upper respiratory infection
• Cough

Toviaz may rarely cause serious side effects, such as:

• Urinary retention (unable to empty your bladder)
• Diverticulitis (inflamed pouches that can form in your intestines)
• Severe constipation
• Lightheadedness, heart racing, or palpitations (could be a sign of a severe heart arrhythmia)

Call your doctor if you experience any signs of the above side effects, or if severe, seek immediate medical care.  For more information about the side effects of Toviaz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Interactions

Other medications may interact with Toviaz and affect how your body metabolizes this medicine.  Dosage adjustments by your doctor may be necessary when Toviaz is prescribed with certain interacting drugs.  A few examples include:

• Clarithromycin
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Ritonavir

Also, any other medications that cause dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention may increase these side effects.  Talk to your doctor or pharmacists about your current medications or any new medications you may start while taking Toviaz.  

Storage

Store Toviaz at room temperature (25°C/77° F). Don’t store Toviaz in rooms with a lot of moisture, like the bathroom.

Pharmacists Tips

• Seek immediate medical treatment if you experience swelling of the tongue or throat or difficulty breathing after taking Toviaz.  These could be signs of an allergic reaction.
• Toviaz should be swallowed whole, do not crush, chew, or cut tablets in half.

Toviaz FAQs

Is there anything that can help with the dry mouth side effect of Toviaz?

Dry mouth may occur with Toviaz treatment, especially in the first month.  Over-the-counter remedies, such as lozenges and mouthwash, are available to help relieve dry mouth if this side effect bothers you or does not go away.  Adding a squeeze of lemon juice or eating a fresh orange may also naturally increase your saliva production. 

Is it okay to drink alcohol with Toviaz?

Alcohol may increase drowsiness associated with Toviaz and should be avoided.

Can I drive after taking Toviaz?

Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when first starting Toviaz until you know how it affects you.  Some people may experience dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision.

Related Drugs

• Detrol LA
• Ditropan XL
• Enablex
• Sanctura
• Vesicare

References

1. Toviaz Prescribing Information. New York, NY: Pfizer; 2020 http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=540 Accessed December 6, 2020
2. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet] Johns Creek (GA): Ebix, Inc., A.D.A.M; c1997-2020.  Overactive Bladder. [updated September 15, 2016]  https://medlineplus.gov/overactivebladder.html  Accessed December 6, 2020