FAQs
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about TOVIAZ® (fesoterodine fumarate)—a treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of leaks, strong sudden urges to go, and going too often. For more information, don’t forget to talk to your doctor.
Overactive bladder (OAB)
TOVIAZ
- What is TOVIAZ?
- What should I tell my doctor before starting TOVIAZ?
- Can I take TOVIAZ while taking other medications?
- How do I take TOVIAZ?
- How long will I have to take TOVIAZ?
- How often should I take TOVIAZ?
- Who should not take TOVIAZ?
- What if I forget to take one of my pills?
- How should I store TOVIAZ?
- What are the possible side effects of TOVIAZ?
- What else should I keep in mind while taking TOVIAZ?
- Does Pfizer offer prescription assistance?
What You Can Do to Help Manage OAB
What is OAB, or overactive bladder?
OAB is a real medical condition reported at least sometimes in the past 4 weeks by an estimated 46 million men and women aged 40 and older in the United States. With OAB, the bladder muscle squeezes too often. Or when you don't want it to. This can cause frequent, strong sudden urges to go. This is also known as "urgency." You may even have accidents.
OAB is not necessarily a normal part of aging. While prevalence increases as you get older, the truth is that OAB can affect anyone at any age. The good news is the symptoms of OAB can often be treated.
I'm embarrassed to talk about my OAB symptoms. How do I bring it up with my doctor?
It's common to feel embarrassed. For suggestions on how to talk with your doctor, take a look at the OAB Conversation Starters.
My friend/loved one has OAB. What can I do?
The most important thing to do is encourage your loved one to talk to a doctor about their OAB symptoms today. You can also help them find out the facts and explore treatment options.
What is TOVIAZ?
TOVIAZ® (fesoterodine fumarate) is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms of a condition called overactive bladder:
- Leaking or wetting accidents due to a strong need to urinate
- Strong sudden urges to go
- Going to the bathroom too often
TOVIAZ helps calm the bladder muscle that causes frequent, strong sudden urges. One TOVIAZ pill per day helps to reduce bothersome symptoms (mentioned above) for 24 hours.* If you have symptoms of OAB, ask your doctor if TOVIAZ is right for you.
*Individual results may vary.
What should I tell my doctor before starting TOVIAZ?
Before starting TOVIAZ, tell your doctor about all of your medical and other conditions that may affect the use of TOVIAZ, including:
- Stomach or intestinal problems or problems with constipation
- Problems emptying your bladder or if you have a weak urine stream
- Treatment for an eye problem called narrow-angle glaucoma
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- A condition called myasthenia gravis
- If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It is not known if TOVIAZ can harm your unborn baby
- If you are breastfeeding. It is not known if TOVIAZ passes into breast milk or if it can harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take TOVIAZ
Before starting on TOVIAZ, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. TOVIAZ may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TOVIAZ works. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking antibiotics or antifungal medicines. Know all the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.
Can I take TOVIAZ while taking other medications?
TOVIAZ may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TOVIAZ works. Before you take TOVIAZ, you should tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications. Be sure to mention prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking antibiotics or antifungal medicines.
How do I take TOVIAZ?
You can take TOVIAZ with or without food. Take TOVIAZ with liquid and swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the tablet.
If you miss a dose of TOVIAZ, begin taking TOVIAZ again the next day. Do not take 2 doses of TOVIAZ in the same day.
If you take more TOVIAZ than your doctor prescribes, call a doctor or go to an emergency room at a hospital right away.
How long will I have to take TOVIAZ?
There is no cure for OAB. TOVIAZ only works to calm the bladder while you are taking the medication. If you stop, your symptoms may return.
How often should I take TOVIAZ?
Take TOVIAZ as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended dosing regime is one pill, once a day. It can be taken at any time of day. Try to take it at the same time each day so you don't forget.
Who should not take TOVIAZ?
Do not take TOVIAZ if you:
- Are not able to empty your bladder (urinary retention)
- Have delayed or slow emptying of your stomach (gastric retention)
- Have an eye problem called uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
- Are allergic to TOVIAZ or any of its ingredients. See the Full Prescribing Information PDF for a complete list of ingredients.
- Are allergic to DETROL® (tolterodine tartrate) or DETROL® LA (tolterodine tartrate extended release capsules), which contain tolterodine
What if I forget to take one of my pills?
You should make every effort to take your medicine as prescribed. However, if you forget to take a pill, don't double your next dose. Just take the regular dose at your next scheduled time.
How should I store TOVIAZ?
Store TOVIAZ at room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).
- Protect the medicine from moisture by keeping the bottle closed tightly
- Safely throw away TOVIAZ that is out of date or no longer needed
Keep TOVIAZ and all medicines out of the reach of children.
What are the possible side effects of TOVIAZ?
TOVIAZ may cause allergic reactions that may be serious. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue. If you experience these symptoms, you should stop taking TOVIAZ and get emergency medical help right away.
The most common side effects of TOVIAZ are:
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
Toviaz may cause other less common side effects, including:
- Dry eyes
- Trouble emptying the bladder
Blurred vision, dizziness, and drowsiness are possible side effects of medicines such as TOVIAZ. Drinking alcohol while taking medicines such as TOVIAZ may cause increased drowsiness. Decreased sweating and severe heat illness can occur when medicines such as TOVIAZ are used in a hot environment.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. These are not all the possible side effects of Toviaz. For a complete list, ask your doctor.
What else should I keep in mind while taking TOVIAZ?
When taking TOVIAZ:
- Do not drive, operate machinery, or do unsafe tasks until you know how TOVIAZ affects you. Blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased sweating are possible side effects of medicines such as TOVIAZ
- Use caution in hot environments. Decreased sweating and severe heat illness can occur when medicines such as TOVIAZ are used in a hot environment
- Drinking alcohol while taking medicines such as TOVIAZ may cause increased drowsiness
Does Pfizer offer prescription assistance?
Yes. If you need help paying for medication, Pfizer has programs that may help. Call 1-866-706-2400 or visit www.pfizerrxpathways.com.
Besides prescription OAB treatments like TOVIAZ, is there anything else I can do to help treat my OAB symptoms?
Yes, there are a number of lifestyle changes that you can make that may help you manage your OAB symptoms. No studies have been conducted to evaluate the use of TOVIAZ in combination with lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options, including lifestyle changes.