Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Enablex

Descriptions


Darifenacin is used to treat symptoms of an overactive bladder, such as incontinence (loss of bladder control) or a frequent need to urinate. Darifenacin works on the muscles of the bladder to prevent them from causing incontinence.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet, Extended Release

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of darifenacin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of darifenacin in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Levoketoconazole
  • Potassium Citrate

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Adagrasib
  • Amantadine
  • Amifampridine
  • Buprenorphine
  • Bupropion
  • Carbamazepine
  • Ceritinib
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clozapine
  • Codeine
  • Conivaptan
  • Dabrafenib
  • Desipramine
  • Donepezil
  • Duvelisib
  • Fedratinib
  • Fexinidazole
  • Flecainide
  • Fluconazole
  • Fosnetupitant
  • Glucagon
  • Glycopyrrolate
  • Glycopyrronium Tosylate
  • Idelalisib
  • Imipramine
  • Itraconazole
  • Ivosidenib
  • Larotrectinib
  • Lefamulin
  • Lenacapavir
  • LetibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg
  • Lorlatinib
  • Lumacaftor
  • Mavacamten
  • Methacholine
  • Netupitant
  • Oliceridine
  • Olutasidenib
  • Omaveloxolone
  • Oxycodone
  • Pacritinib
  • Phenobarbital
  • Pirtobrutinib
  • Primidone
  • Quetiapine
  • Revefenacin
  • Ritlecitinib
  • Scopolamine
  • Secretin Human
  • Sufentanil
  • Tapentadol
  • Thioridazine
  • Tiotropium
  • Tramadol
  • Trofinetide

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Ketoconazole

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Bladder blockage or
  • Intestinal or stomach problems (e.g., constipation, ulcerative colitis) or
  • Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) or
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma, controlled—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Liver disease, moderate—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Liver disease, severe—Use is not recommended for patients taking darifenacin extended-release tablets.
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma, uncontrolled or
  • Stomach problems (e.g., gastric retention) or
  • Urinary retention (hard to pass urine)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects. Also, do not change your dose without checking first with your doctor.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole with water. Do not break, crush, or chew it. You may take this medicine with or without food.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • To treat bladder problems:
      • Adults—At first, 7.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

Darifenacin may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called angioedema. Angioedema may be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, a large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, trouble with breathing, or chest tightness while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or have blurred vision. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy, not alert, or not able to see well.

This medicine may make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase. Use extra care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather while you are using this medicine, since overheating may result in heat stroke.

This medicine may cause constipation. Call your doctor if you get severe stomach pain or become constipated.

This medicine may cause dry mouth. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

  1. Bladder pain
  2. bloody or cloudy urine
  3. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  4. frequent urge to urinate
  5. lower back or side pain

Incidence not known

  1. Decrease in the frequency of urination
  2. decrease in the urine volume
  3. difficulty in passing urine
  4. dribbling or painful urination

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

  1. Changes in vision

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. belching
  3. difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  4. dry mouth
  5. heartburn
  6. indigestion
  7. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Less common

  1. Diarrhea
  2. dizziness
  3. dry eyes
  4. lack or loss of strength
  5. nausea

Incidence not known

  1. Accidental injury
  2. bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  3. changes in vision
  4. chills
  5. congestion
  6. cough producing mucus
  7. difficulty with breathing
  8. difficulty with moving
  9. dry skin
  10. dryness or soreness of the throat
  11. fever
  12. general feeling of discomfort or illness
  13. headache
  14. hoarseness
  15. itching of the vagina or genital area
  16. itching skin
  17. joint pain
  18. loss of appetite
  19. muscle aches and pains
  20. muscle stiffness
  21. nervousness
  22. pain during sexual intercourse
  23. pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  24. pounding in the ears
  25. rash
  26. runny nose
  27. shortness of breath or troubled breathing
  28. slow or fast heartbeat
  29. sneezing
  30. stuffy nose
  31. tender, swollen glands in the neck
  32. thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
  33. tightness in the chest
  34. tingling of the hands or feet
  35. trouble with swallowing
  36. unusual weight gain or loss
  37. voice changes
  38. vomiting
  39. wheezing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/darifenacin-oral-route/description/DRG-20063341