About Toviaz

The information below should not be taken as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking Toviaz.

Toviaz is an antispasmodic medication prescribed to help patients control bladder spasms and involuntary urination. It works by blocking the chemical that causes the bladder muscles to contract.

Clinical trials for Toviaz demonstrated a significant reduction in episodes of urinary incontinence in a given 24 hour period. Test subjects noticed results as early as two weeks into the study, though most physicians recommend allowing up to twelve weeks to experience the full benefit. Health care providers usually start patients on a relatively low dose of Toviaz, but increase the potency until improvement in symptoms has been noticed.

Toviaz should be taken once a day, and at the same time every day. It may be taken with or without food. Tablets should be swallowed intact, never chewed, split, or crushed. If a dose is forgotten or missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, Toviaz should never be taken twice in one day.

There are no dietary restrictions imposed while taking Toviaz, though patients who like to consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should consult their health care provider about doing so during the course of treatment.

This medication helps control the symptoms of overactive bladder, but it is not a cure. Patients should continue taking Toviaz to prevent their symptoms from returning. It's also very important to avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking Toviaz. The medicine works to decrease perspiration, making patients more vulnerable to heat stroke. Patients should be sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially when outdoors in hot weather.

Toviaz has some known side effects, though not everyone will experience them. They may include back pain, constipation, cough, difficulty voiding one's bladder, and dry eyes, mouth, or throat. Patients who experience these side effects to a degree that interferes with daily functioning should consult their health care provider as soon as possible.