From the Guidelines
Fesoterodine is associated with several side effects, including dry mouth, constipation, abdominal pain, and headache, with a number needed to harm (NNH) of 7 [CI, 5 to 9] 1. The most common side effects of fesoterodine include:
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Headache
- Abdominal pain These side effects are due to the mechanism of action of fesoterodine, which blocks muscarinic receptors, reducing bladder muscle contractions, but also affecting other body systems with these receptors. Some patients may also experience:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty urinating
- Stomach pain More serious but less common side effects include:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Eye pain
- Signs of urinary retention Elderly patients may be more sensitive to these side effects, particularly confusion and constipation. The evidence shows that fesoterodine has a higher rate of adverse effects compared to placebo, with a relative risk of 1.4 [CI, 1.2 to 1.6] 1. The discontinuation rate due to adverse effects is higher for fesoterodine, with a NNH of 33 [CI, 18 to 102] 1. It is essential for patients to stay well-hydrated while taking this medication and to contact their healthcare provider if they experience severe or persistent side effects. The typical dosage of fesoterodine starts at 4 mg once daily and may be increased to 8 mg if needed, but dose adjustments may be necessary for patients with kidney or liver impairment to minimize side effects 1.
From the Research
Fesoterodine Side Effects
- The most common adverse events during fesoterodine treatment are:
- Other potential side effects of fesoterodine include:
- Fesoterodine has a similar safety profile to other antimuscarinic drugs, such as darifenacin, imidafenacin, oxybutynin, and solifenacin 6
- However, tolterodine may have better safety outcomes for certain adverse events, including dry mouth and constipation 6