Absorption
After oral administration, due to rapid and extensive hydrolysis by non-specific plasma esterases, fesoterodine was not detected in plasma.
Bioavailability of the active metabolite is 52%. After single or multiple-dose oral administration of fesoterodine in doses from 4 mg to 28 mg, plasma concentrations of the active metabolite are proportional to the dose. The steady-state exposures of 5-HMT in healthy adult subjects following fesoterodine 4 mg and 8 mg tablets once daily are summarised in Table 3.
Table 3: Summary of geometric mean [% CV] pharmacokinetic parameters for the active metabolite after steady-state dosing of fesoterodine in healthy adult subjects, 18 years to 50 years of age
| Dosage/Formulation | N | Cmax,ss (ng/mL) | AUCtau,ss (ng*h/mL) |
| 4 mg QD/tablet | 6 | 1.71 (74.9) | 16.39 (69.8) |
| 8 mg QD/tablet | 6 | 4.66 (43.3) | 46.51 (46.8) |
Abbreviations: AUCtau,ss = steady-state area under the concentration time curve over the 24 hour dosing interval; Cmax,ss = steady-state maximum plasma concentration; CV = coefficient of variation; N = number of patients with PK data; QD = once daily.
Maximum plasma levels are reached after approximately 5 hours.
Therapeutic plasma levels are achieved after the first administration of fesoterodine. No accumulation occurs after multiple-dose administration.
Distribution
Plasma protein binding of the active metabolite is low with approximately 50% bound to albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. The mean steady-state volume of distribution following intravenous infusion of the active metabolite is 169 l.
Biotransformation
After oral administration, fesoterodine is rapidly and extensively hydrolysed to its active metabolite. The active metabolite is further metabolised in the liver to its carboxy, carboxy-N-desisopropyl, and N-desisopropyl metabolite with involvement of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. None of these metabolites contribute significantly to the antimuscarinic activity of fesoterodine. Mean Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite are 1.7 and 2-fold higher, respectively, in CYP2D6 poor metabolisers as compared to extensive metabolisers.
Elimination
Hepatic metabolism and renal excretion contribute significantly to the elimination of the active metabolite. After oral administration of fesoterodine, approximately 70% of the administered dose was recovered in urine as the active metabolite (16%), carboxy metabolite (34%), carboxy-N-desisopropyl metabolite (18%), or N-desisopropyl metabolite (1%), and a smaller amount (7%) was recovered in faeces. The terminal half-life of the active metabolite following oral administration is approximately 7 hours and is absorption rate-limited.
Age and gender
No dose adjustment is recommended in these subpopulations. The pharmacokinetics of fesoterodine are not significantly influenced by age and gender.
Paediatric population
In paediatric patients, from 6 years to 17 years of age with neurogenic detrusor overactivity weighing 35 kg with CYP2D6 extensive metaboliser status receiving fesoterodine tablets, the mean values of apparent oral clearance, volume of distribution and absorption rate constant of 5-HMT are estimated to be approximately 72 L/h, 68 L and 0.09 h-1, respectively. The Tmax and half-life of 5-HMT are estimated to be approximately 2.55 h and 7.73 h, respectively. Like adults, the 5-HMT exposure in CYP2D6 poor metabolisers was estimated to be approximately 2-fold higher compared with extensive metabolisers.
The post-hoc estimates of steady-state exposures of 5-HMT in paediatric patients following fesoterodine 4 mg and 8 mg tablets once daily are summarised in Table 4.
Table 4: Summary of geometric mean [% CV] pharmacokinetic parameters for the active metabolite after steady-state dosing of fesoterodine in paediatric patients with NDO or OAB, weighing > 25 kg
| Age | Dosage/Formulation | N | Cmax,ss (ng/mL) | AUCtau,ss (ng*h/mL) |
| 6 to 17 years (patients with NDO) | 4 mg QD/tablet | 32 | 4.88 (48.2) | 59.1 (51.7) |
| 8 mg QD/tablet | 39 | 8.47 (41.6) | 103 (46.2) |
| 8 to 17 years (patients with NDO or OAB) | 8 mg QD/tablet1 | 21 | 7.15 (39.5) | 86.4 (44.0) |
1 dosing was initiated at 4 mg QD for 4 weeks and escalated to 8 mg QD for the next 4 weeks.
Abbreviations: AUCtau,ss = steady-state area under the concentration time curve over the 24 hour dosing interval; Cmax,ss = steady-state maximum plasma concentration; CV = coefficient of variation; N = number of patients with PK data; QD = once daily.
Renal impairment
In patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (GFR 30 – 80 ml/min), Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite increased up to 1.5 and 1.8-fold, respectively, as compared to healthy subjects. In patients with severe renal impairment (GFR < 30 ml/min), Cmax and AUC are increased 2.0 and 2.3-fold, respectively.
Hepatic impairment
In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B), Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite increased 1.4 and 2.1-fold, respectively, as compared to healthy subjects. Pharmacokinetics of fesoterodine in patients with severe hepatic impairment have not been studied.