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Darifenacin

 
Drug Info: Darifenacin

Brand names: Enablex®

Chemical formula:



Darifenacin extended-release tablets

What are Darifenacin extended-release tablets?

DARIFENACIN (Enablex®) helps to control an overactive bladder, a chronic condition that can be improved with medication. Darifenacin may decrease the number of bathroom visits and help to control wetting accidents. Generic darifenacin extended-release tablets are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• difficulty passing urine
• glaucoma
• intestinal obstruction
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• stomach problems like pyloric stenosis or reflux, or other problems with proper emptying of the contents of the stomach
• an unusual or allergic reaction to darifenacin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Take darifenacin extended-release tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Do not chew, crush, or split the tablets. Darifenacin can be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What drug(s) may interact with Darifenacin?

• alcohol-containing beverages
amantadine
aprepitant
atropine
bosentan
caffeine
chloroquine
cimetidine
cisapride
cyclobenzaprine
diltiazem
donepezil
duloxetine
galantamine
gefitinib
• grapefruit juice
hydroxychloroquine
hyoscyamine
imatinib, STI-571
memantine
metoclopramide
omeprazole
quinine
• rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin
rivastigmine
scopolamine
• some antibiotics (clarithromycin, dalfopristin; quinupristin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, troleandomycin)
• some medicines for colds, hay fever, or allergies
• some medicines for fungal infections, like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole or voriconazole
• some medicines for heart rhythm disturbances (amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine)
• some medicines for mental depression or psychotic disorders
• some medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone)
• some medicines for treating HIV infection or AIDS
• some medicines for treating pain (hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, propoxyphene)
tacrine
tegaserod
tolterodine
topiramate
verapamil
• water pills (diuretics)
zafirlukast
zileuton

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Darifenacin?

Your health care professional may recommend techniques that may help improve control of your bladder and sphincter muscles. Such techniques will help train you to need the bathroom less frequently.

You may need to limit your intake of tea, coffee, caffeinated sodas, and alcohol. These drinks may aggravate your symptoms. Keeping healthy bowel habits may lessen bladder symptoms. If you currently smoke, quitting smoking may help reduce irritation to the bladder muscle.

You may get dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know how darifenacin affects you.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water, will help.

Darifenacin rarely causes dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Darifenacin?

Serious side effects are not common. Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• any signs of an allergic reaction, like skin itching or hives
• blurred vision or difficulty focusing vision
• confusion
• difficulty passing urine
• severe dizziness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• dry eyes
• dry mouth
• headache
• indigestion or stomach upset
• mild dizziness or drowsiness
• nausea

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 5/12/2003 11:58:00 AM

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

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Wikipedia: Darifenacin
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Darifenacin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(S)-2-[1-[2-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)ethyl] pyrrolidin-3-yl] -2,2-diphenyl-acetamide
Identifiers
CAS number 133099-04-4
ATC code G04BD10
PubChem 444031
DrugBank APRD00903
Chemical data
Formula C28H30N2O2 
Mol. mass 426.55 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 15 to 19% (dose-dependent)
Protein binding 98%
Metabolism Hepatic (CYP2D6- and CYP3A4-mediated)
Half life 13 to 19 hours
Excretion Renal (60%) and biliary (40%)
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

B3(AU) C(US)

Legal status

POM(UK) -only(US)

Routes Oral

Darifenacin (Enablex, Emselex, Novartis) is a medication used to treat urinary incontinence.

Darifenacin works by blocking the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, which is primarily responsible for bladder muscle contractions. It thereby decreases the urgency to urinate. It should not be used in people with urinary retention.

It is not known whether this selectivity for the M3 receptor translates into any clinical advantage when treating symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome.[1]

Clinical uses

Darifenacin is indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency.

External links

References

  1. ^ SPC for emselex-revised on 29/11/06 (available at http://www.medicines.org.uk)

 
 
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