Darifenacin Explained

Darifenacin (trade name Enablex in United States and Canada, Emselex in the European Union) is a medication used to treat urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder.^{[1] [2] [3]} It was discovered by scientists at the Pfizer research site in Sandwich, UK under the identifier UK-88,525 and used to be marketed by Novartis. In 2010, the US rights were sold to Warner Chilcott for .

Adverse effects

Darifenacin should not be used in people with urinary retention. Anticholinergic agents, such as darifenacin, may also produce constipation and blurred vision. Heat prostration (due to decreased sweating) can occur when anticholinergics such as darifenacin are used in a hot environment.^[4]

Medical uses

Darifenacin is indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency in adults. It may also be recommended with an alpha blocker to help provide symptomatic benefit for overactive bladder and obstructive symptoms such as likely associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy. ^[5]

Mechanism of action

Darifenacin works by blocking the M₃ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, which is primarily responsible for bladder muscle contractions. It thereby decreases the urgency to urinate.^[6] It is not known whether this selectivity for the M₃ receptor translates into any clinical advantage when treating symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome.

External links

• Web site: Darifenacin . U.S. National Library of Medicine . Drug Information Portal .
• Web site: Darifenacin hydrobromide . U.S. National Library of Medicine . Drug Information Portal .

Notes and References

1. Croom KF, Keating GM . Darifenacin: in the treatment of overactive bladder . Drugs & Aging . 21 . 13 . 885–92; discussion 893–4 . 2004 . 15493952 . 10.2165/00002512-200421130-00005 . 41549419 .
2. Parsons M, Robinson D, Cardozo L . Darifenacin in the treatment of overactive bladder . International Journal of Clinical Practice . 59 . 7 . 831–8 . July 2005 . 15963212 . 10.1111/j.1368-5031.2005.00585.x . 39061659 . free .
3. Chughtai B, Levin R, De E . Choice of antimuscarinic agents for overactive bladder in the older patient: focus on darifenacin . Clinical Interventions in Aging . 3 . 3 . 503–9 . 2008 . 18982920 . 2682382 . 10.2147/cia.s3414 . free .
4. Web site: Enablex- darifenacin tablet, extended release . DailyMed . 24 September 2016 . 22 October 2020.
5. American Urological Association (AUA) Guideline. Diagnosis and Treatment of Overactive Bladder in Adults: AUA/SUFA guideline 2012
6. Chapple CR . Darifenacin: a novel M3 muscarinic selective receptor antagonist for the treatment of overactive bladder . Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs . 13 . 11 . 1493–500 . November 2004 . 15500396 . 10.1517/13543784.13.11.1493 . 19259076 .