Two medicines, side by side
Fesoterodine vs oxybutynin
Fesoterodine and oxybutynin are both labeled for overactive bladder. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fesoterodine since 2008 and of oxybutynin since 1975. Pharmacies paid $0.794 per fesoterodine ER 4 mg tablet and $0.048 per oxybutynin 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Oxybutynin's other strengths are brand-only: $2.74 per unit (Oxytrol for women 3.9 mg/24hr).
Check it at the source: the fesoterodine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 7, 2026); the oxybutynin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 16, 2025).
Highlights of the fesoterodine record
Fesoterodine (Toviaz) · label of April 7, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsToviaz is indicated for the treatment of: • Overactive bladder (OAB) in adults with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. ( 1.1 ) • Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing greater than 25 kg. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 2008
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.794 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the oxybutynin record
Oxybutynin (Ditropan) · label of December 16, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsOxybutynin chloride extended-release tablets are a muscarinic antagonist indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. Oxybutynin chloride extended-release tablets are also indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients aged 6 years and older with symptoms of detrusor overactivity associated with a neurological condition (e.g., spina bifida). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 16, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.048 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fesoterodine label of April 7, 2026, Oxybutynin label of December 16, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fesoterodine and oxybutynin differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Fesoterodine, “Fesoterodine is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist.”; Oxybutynin, “Oxybutynin chloride exerts a direct antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle and inhibits the muscarinic action of acetylcholine on smooth muscle.”
Generics: fesoterodine since 2015; oxybutynin since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fesoterodine | Oxybutynin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Overactive bladder | Overactive bladder |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Fesoterodine is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. | Oxybutynin relaxes bladder smooth muscle. Oxybutynin chloride exerts a direct antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle and inhibits the muscarinic action of acetylcholine on smooth muscle. |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life of the active metabolite is approximately 4 hours following an intravenous administration. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 31, 2008 | July 16, 1975 |
| First generic approved | December 10, 2015 | November 14, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.794 per tablet (Fesoterodine ER 4 mg tablet) | $0.048 per tablet (Oxybutynin 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,773 | 37,662 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Fesoterodine label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Antimuscarinic Drugs Coadministration of Toviaz with other antimuscarinic agents that produce dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and other anticholinergic pharmacological effects may increase the frequency and/or severity of such effects.
Oxybutynin label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS The concomitant use of oxybutynin with other anticholinergic drugs or with other agents which produce dry mouth, constipation, somnolence (drowsiness), and/or other anticholinergic-like effects may increase the frequency and/or severity of such effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to fesoterodine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions