Why is this medication prescribed?
Treatment for an overactive bladder with darifenacin (a condition in which the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably and cause frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and inability to control urination). The drug darifenacin belongs to the group of drugs known as antimuscarinics. In order to stop frequent, erratic, or urgent urine, it relaxes the muscles of the bladder.
How should this medicine be used?
Long-acting (extended-release) tablets of darifenacin are available for oral use. Typically, it is taken once daily with lots of drink. You can take this medication with or without food. Darifenacin should be taken every day at about the same time. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take darifenacin as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.
Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.
After two weeks, your doctor may raise the dose of darifenacin that you are starting on.
For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your chemist or doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking darifenacin,
- If you have any pharmaceutical allergies, be sure to let your doctor and chemist know.
- Inform your doctor and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: medicines like clomipramine, amoxapine, and amitriptyline (Elavil) (Anafranil), antihistamines; clarithromycin (Biaxin); desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); itraconazole (Sporanox), flecainide (Tambocor), ipratropium (Atrovent), ketoconazole (Nizoral); drugs for irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary issues; nelfinavir (Viracept); and nefazodone (Serzone); thioridazine, ritonavir (Norvir), and (Mellaril). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
- Inform your doctor of any blockages in your digestive system, benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate), severe constipation, ulcerative colitis (a condition that causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), myasthenia gravis (a nervous system disorder that causes muscle weakness), glaucoma, liver disease, or urinary obstruction if you have them now or have ever had them.
- Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking darifenacin.
- You should let your doctor or dentist know that you are taking darifenacin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
- You should be aware that darifenacin may induce dizziness or impaired vision. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
- You should be aware that darifenacin reduces sweating, which in hot conditions might lead to heat prostration (collapse due to high body temperature).
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Ignore the missed dose and carry on with my normal dosing routine. Never double up on a dose to make up for a missed one or take two doses on the same day.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Darifenacin may have unwanted effects. Inform your doctor right once if any of these symptoms are severe or persistent:
- Mouth ache
- Constipation
- Uneasy stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Wet eyes
Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these signs:
- Being unable to urinate or having difficulty urinating
- Burning discomfort when urinating
- Rash
- Itching
Further negative effects of darifenacin are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.
You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).
Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.
Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org
In case of emergency/overdose
Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.
Overdose symptoms could include:
- Vision issues
What other information should I know?
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.
No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.
You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Enablex®
