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Generic Name: darifenacin
Other Brand Names: darifenacin

What is darifenacin?

Darifenacin relieves spasms of the bladder.

Darifenacin is used to treat overactive bladder with the symptoms of urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence.

Darifenacin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking darifenacin?

Do not take darifenacin if you have

  • a blockage of the urinary tract, difficulty urinating, or urinary retention;

  • a blockage in the intestines or gastric retention; or

  • glaucoma.

Before taking darifenacin, tell your doctor if you have

  • liver disease;

  • constipation;

  • other stomach or intestinal problems; or

  • kidney disease.

You may not be able to take darifenacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Darifenacin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether darifenacin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take darifenacin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether darifenacin will harm a nursing infant. Do not take darifenacin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take darifenacin?

Take darifenacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Darifenacin can be taken with or without food..

Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If your symptoms are not being treated, notify your doctor.

Store darifenacin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of darifenacin?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Where can I get more information about darifenacin?
Your pharmacist has information about darifenacin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of darifenacin?

If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking darifenacin and seek emergency medical attention.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take darifenacin and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • dry mouth,

  • dryness of the eyes,

  • blurred vision or large pupils,

  • upset stomach,

  • headache,

  • constipation,

  • difficulty urinating,

  • drowsiness, or

  • dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about darifenacin?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Darifenacin may cause blurred vision.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Darifenacin may increase the risk of heat stroke because it may decrease sweating. Drink plenty of fluid of maintain adequate hydration.

What should I avoid while taking darifenacin?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Darifenacin may cause blurred vision.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Darifenacin may increase the risk of heat stroke because it may decrease sweating. Drink plenty of fluid to maintain adequate hydration.

What other drugs will affect darifenacin?

Before taking darifenacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or voriconazole(Vfend);

  • atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir);

  • clarithromycin (Biaxin);

  • flecainide (Tambocor);

  • thioridazine (Mellaril);

  • a tricyclic antidepressants including desipramine (Norpramin), amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil) and others;

  • digoxin (Lanoxin); or

  • nefazodone (Serzone).

You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Many drugs other than those listed here may also interact with darifenacin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

What happens if I have an overdose of darifenacin?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an darifenacin overdose are not known but might include restlessness, tremor, irritability, seizures, delirium, hallucinations, flushing, fever, nausea, vomiting, a fast heartbeat, and possibly coma.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008