Safety and Tolerability of Fesoterodine in Older Adult Patients with Overactive Bladder

BACKGROUND: Older patients (> 65 yr) suffering from overactive bladder (OAB) are more likely to have functional impairment and comorbidity than those without OAB. This article reviews available published studies and discusses how fesoterodine might meet the specific needs of the older OAB patient. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in order to evaluate fesoterodine safety in older OAB patients. RESULTS: Fesoterodine offers flexible dosing, allowing the clinician to balance risk and benefits according to the symptoms and preferences of the patient. Its balanced affinity for M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors may lead to its benefit on OAB symptoms. Its active metabolite is a P-gp substrate that is actively transported from the central nervous system (CNS), potentially avoiding adverse CNS effects. Fesoterodine can be used in mild or moderate hepatic or renal insufficiency and no dose adjustment is routinely required. Fesoterodine’s benefit has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials in older and medically vulnerable patients. Fesoterodine was rated as “beneficial” in the LUTS-FORTA classification due to its efficiency and tolerability in older patients. CONCLUSION: Here, the use of fesoterodine in older and vulnerable patients is summarized given the need to approach pharmacotherapy for OAB differently in older adults.