There’s reassuring news for those who are among the 33 million Americans with overactive bladder: a new double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 562 older adults helped answer the question: does Toviaz work for elderly patients who suffer with this often debilitating urinary problem? According to Pfizer Inc., which makes Toviaz (fesoterodine), the drug was better than placebo in reducing the number of urinary incontinence episodes participants had each day.
Urinary incontinence can be a significant life-altering situation for elderly men and women, who often find themselves unable to participate in family and social events, travel, and other activities because they fear of being unable to reach a bathroom in time or having an accident. As a result, elderly individuals with urinary incontinence or overactive bladder may become isolated and depressed and experience a further decline in their health.
According to Steven Romano, Pfizer SVP and head of the medicines development group, “For older individuals with overactive bladder, incontinence accompanied by urgency is the symptom that is most bothersome and embarrassing and greatly impacts their overall quality of life.”
The results of the 12-week trial, which was conducted by the pharmaceutical company, are particularly important because it is the first study of an antimuscarinic agent (one that blocks the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine) shown to be effective in treating older adults. Prior to this study, Toviaz had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment over overactive bladder.
Overactive bladder is a type of urinary incontinence that can be treated with a variety of medications, including Toviaz, as well as herbal and natural remedies, nerve stimulation, behavioral therapy, Kegel exercises, continence products, and surgery. Individuals who are experiencing episodes of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder should talk to their healthcare provider about available medical and natural treatment options, including lifestyle changes, and ways to help keep their bladder healthy.
Reference
Dearment A. Pfizer’s Toviaz safe, effective in treating overactive bladder in elderly patients. 2011 Dec 6 Drug Store News
