Introduction
Darifen ER is muscarinic antagonist that is used in the treatment of overactive bladder. It relieves urinary symptoms like frequent urination, urgent need to urinate and inability to control urination.
Darifen ER is advised to take it in a dose and duration as per prescription. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the medicine as a whole without crushing or chewing it. You should not stop taking the medicine without consulting the doctor as it may lead to the worsening of your symptoms. The course of the treatment should be completed for better efficacy of the medicine.
Some of the common side effects of this medicine are constipation, dry mouth, headache, indigestion, nausea, urinary tract infection, flu symptoms, etc. If any of the side effects bother you or persist, consult the doctor without delay.
Before receiving the treatment, inform your doctor if you are on any medication for any other health condition. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor prior to the treatment. Patients with liver or kidney disease must be cautious while receiving the prescription and they must receive regular follow-ups as per the doctor's advice.
Uses of Darifen ER
- Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms
Side effects of Darifen ER
Common
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dryness in mouth
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Nausea
How to use Darifen ER
Use it as advised by your doctor or check the label for directions before use. Darifen ER may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Darifen ER works
Darifen ER is an antimuscarinic. It works by relaxing muscles of the urinary bladder to prevent frequent, urgent or uncontrolled urination.
What if you forget to take Darifen ER?
If you miss a dose of Darifen ER, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Urge incontinence, Urinary frequency and urgency, Overactive bladder
Administration
May be taken with or without food. Swallow whole, do not chew/crush/divide.
Adult Dose
Oral
Overactive bladder
Adult: For symptomatic treatment of urge incontinence, urinary frequency and urgency. Initial: 7.5 mg once daily; may increase dose to 15 mg once daily if no adequate response after 2 wk of therapy.
Hepatic impairment: Moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B): Maximum daily dose is 7.5 mg. Severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C): Not recommended.
Contraindication
Patient with urinary retention, gastric retention, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, and in patients who are at risk for these conditions.
Mode of Action
Darifenacin is a potent, competitive and selective muscarinic receptor antagonist which has greater binding affinity for muscarinic M3 receptors. M3 receptors are involved in the contraction of the detrusor muscle of the bladder, GI smooth muscle, saliva production, and iris sphincter function. Darifenacin may increase volume threshold in patients with involuntary detrusor contraction, thus increase bladder capacity.
Precaution
Anticholinergic agents including Darifenacin, may cause urinary retention and decreased GI motility. Caution when used in patients with clinically significant bladder outflow obstruction, GI obstructive disorder (e.g. pyloric stenosis), severe constipation, ulcerative colitis, and myasthenia gravis. For patients being treated for narrow-angle glaucoma, caution and only use where potential benefits outweigh the risks. May cause heat prostration when used in a hot environment. May cause dizziness and blurred vision; caution when operating machinery or driving vehicle. Not recommended in severe hepatic impairment. Safety and efficacy have not been established in paediatric patients. Pregnancy and lactation.
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; use caution
Side Effect
>10%
Dry mouth (19-35%),Constipation (15-21%)
1-10%
Abdominal pain (2-4%),Dizziness (2%),Dry eyes (2%),Dyspepsia (3-8%),Nausea (2-4%),UTI (4-5%),Vaginitis (>1%),Back pain (>1%),Rhinitis (>1%),Abnormal vision (>2%),Vomiting (>1%),Weight gain (>1%),Flu-like syndrome (1-3%),Peripheral edema (>1%)
Potentially Fatal: Hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema.
Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; use caution
Interaction
Concurrent use of CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, troleandomycin, ritonavir, nelfinavir) or CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g. quinidine, paroxetine) may increase serum levels of Darifenacin. CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. barbiturates, phenytoin, rifampicin) may likely decrease Darifenacin serum concentrations. Darifenacin may act as a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6, caution when used concomitantly with CYP2D6 substrates that have narrow therapeutic index (e.g. flecainide, thioridazine, imipramine). Concurrent use of another agent with antimuscarinic properties may potentiate the side effects of Darifenacin.