fesoterodine vs tolterodine
Side-by-side comparison of fesoterodine and tolterodine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
In a study in adults, co-administration of the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole with fesoterodine led to approximately a doubling of the maximum concentration (C max ) and area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) of 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT), the active metabolite of fesoterodine.
Recommendation: Your doctor may need to monitor you more closely or adjust your dose if you are taking strong enzyme inhibitors.
Toviaz
Detrol
Fesoterodine is a medicine that helps control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom so often.
Tolterodine extended-release capsules help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.
This medicine treats overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. OAB can cause you to feel a sudden need to urinate. It can also cause you to urinate more often than normal, and leak urine.
This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps reduce leaking urine, the strong need to urinate, and frequent urination. These symptoms are also known as urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.
Fesoterodine belongs to a class of drugs called anticholinergics. It works by blocking certain nerve signals to the bladder. This helps to relax the bladder muscles and reduce the urge to urinate.
Tolterodine belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by blocking certain nerve signals to the bladder. This helps to relax the bladder muscles and reduce the urge to urinate.
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Dry mouth
- • Headache
- • Constipation
- • Abdominal pain
- Drug not working 1,662
- Dry mouth 823
- Fall 529
- Tiredness 505
- Using the drug for something it's not approved for 505
- The medicine is not working 466
- Falling down 407
- Feeling tired 406
- Feeling lightheaded 309
- Loose stools 308
Fesoterodine can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. This can be life-threatening, so stop taking the medicine and get medical help right away if this happens. Fesoterodine is not recommended if you have a blockage in your bladder or have problems with food moving through your digestive system. Use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or myasthenia gravis.
Anaphylaxis and angioedema (severe allergic reactions) have happened with this drug. These reactions can cause difficulty breathing and require emergency treatment. Use caution if you have bladder problems, gastrointestinal issues, or glaucoma. This medicine can cause sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating heavy machinery.
It is not known if fesoterodine can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if fesoterodine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.
It is not known if tolterodine is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if tolterodine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.
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How to Read This fesoterodine vs tolterodine Comparison
fesoterodine is classified in the Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder) drug class, while tolterodine sits within the Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, fesoterodine has 4,024 submissions while tolterodine has 1,896. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to strong enzyme blockers can stop the body from clearing the active part of this medicine, which can cause the drug levels in your blood to double.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between fesoterodine and tolterodine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.