Fesoterodine for the treatment of overactive bladder.
OBJECTIVE
To review pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and safety data for fesoterodine and determine its role in the treatment of overactive bladder.


METHODS
A MEDLINE search (1966-July 2009) was conducted using the key words fesoterodine, tolterodine, muscarinic receptor antagonist, anticholinergic, overactive bladder, urge incontinence, efficacy, safety, adverse effect, pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and receptor binding.


METHODS
All articles written in English that were identified from the data sources were evaluated, prioritizing randomized, controlled trials with human data. The references of published articles that we identified were examined for any additional studies appropriate for the review.


RESULTS
Fesoterodine, a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist, is converted to its active metabolite, 5-hydroxymethyltolterodine, by nonspecific esterases, bypassing the cytochrome P450 system. Two randomized controlled Phase 3 trials examined the safety and efficacy of fesoterodine in the treatment of overactive bladder. Fesoterodine was found to produce significant improvements in the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms compared with placebo. Post hoc analysis of these trials demonstrated significant improvements in health-related quality of life in patients with overactive bladder. Only one study included tolterodine, and direct comparisons between fesoterodine and tolterodine were not conducted. The most common treatment-emergent adverse effects associated with fesoterodine included dry mouth, constipation, urinary tract infection, and headache.


CONCLUSIONS
Fesoterodine appears to be effective and generally safe for the treatment of overactive bladder. The efficacy and safety of fesoterodine in overactive bladder treatment seem to be at least similar to that of tolterodine. Although additional comparative trials are needed, based on available data, it does not appear that fesoterodine provides a substantial advantage over extended-release tolterodine in either efficacy or safety.
Tzefos
Maria
M
School of Pharmacy, Wingate University, Wingate, NC 28174, USA. m.tzefos@wingate.edu
Dolder
Christian
C
Olin
Jacqueline L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003408:Cresols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003408:Cresols; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; C526675:fesoterodine