Fesoterodine
Anticholinergic (overactive bladder)
Brand names: Toviaz
Oral health effects
Severe xerostomia
Strong anticholinergic activity makes dry mouth one of the most common and pronounced side effects.
Mechanism: Muscarinic receptor blockade markedly reduces salivary secretion.
Clinical management: Aggressive caries prevention, high-fluoride products, salivary substitutes, frequent recall; consider discussing alternatives with the prescriber.
Angioedema of lips, tongue or face (rare)
The label warns that angioedema of the face, lips, tongue and/or larynx has been reported, sometimes after the first dose; upper-airway swelling can be life-threatening. Frequency is not established (postmarketing/rare).
Clinical management: Ask about any facial, lip or tongue swelling since starting the drug. Swelling of the tongue, floor of mouth or throat during an appointment is a medical emergency: stop treatment, keep the patient upright, call emergency services and monitor the airway.
Sources
- A Guide to Medications Inducing Salivary Gland Dysfunction, Xerostomia, and Subjective Sialorrhea: A Systematic Review Sponsored by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI. Wolff A, Joshi RK, Ekström J, et al. Drugs in R&D, 2017.
- Fesoterodine prescribing information (FDA label) Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC / DailyMed, 2024.