Fesoterodine is an antispasmodic drug available for the treatment of urinary incontinence. This medication forces the muscles in the bladder wall to relax, reducing the risk of inadvertent release of urine. A doctor may recommend it in addition to other therapies, depending on a patient’s case. Patients need to continue taking the drug in order for it to work, and can experience recurrent incontinence if they are not consistent with dosing or if they abruptly stop taking it.
Some patients experience a condition called overactive bladder or urge incontinence, where the walls of the bladder abruptly spasm. This causes an intense and abrupt need to urinate, and the patient may not be able to make it to a bathroom in time. It is also possible to lose control over the bladder entirely. Patients can experience social discomfort because of the condition, in addition to being prone to chafing and infection. Fesoterodine treats the spasms and reduces the risk of incidents.
This medication is classified as an antimuscarinic drug. These medications work by blocking acetylcholine receptors in the muscle fibers. The receptors play a key role in the transmission of signals from the nervous system. When they are blocked, the muscles cannot spasm, because they don’t get signals at all or the signals are too weak to cause a significant spasm. Patients on fesoterodine should experience a reduction in overactive bladder symptoms because their muscles will remain relaxed.
It can take several weeks for fesoterodine to take effect, and it is important to keep taking it through this period. Even if the medication doesn’t seem to be working, the body may be responding, albeit very slowly. If patients do not respond after three months, the medication may not be effective, and it could be time to switch to a different drug.
The fesoterodine dosage recommendations can depend on several factors. This is a prodrug, a precursor to an active ingredient that the body itself produces when it metabolizes the medication. It is important to take it whole, without crushing or chewing, as it is designed to release slowly over time. Patients who have trouble swallowing whole tablets can discuss their options with a doctor.
Dry mouth is the most common fesoterodine side effect. Other patients may develop urinary tract infections. The safety of this drug in pregnancy is not known, and pregnant patients may want to discuss their options carefully before pursuing drug therapy for urge incontinence. Pregnancy can also put strain on the bladder, which may complicate therapy.
