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Darifenacin - Learn about Darifenacin Side Effects and Precautions

Darifenacin Information

The pharmacology action of Darifenacin is that it competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist

Darifenacin is used in treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.

Interaction and Contraindication of Darifenacin

Interaction of Darifenacin - Anticholinergic agents:  Frequency and severity of dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic effects may be increased.
Drugs predominantly metabolized by CYP2D6 (eg, flecainide, thioridazine, tricyclic antidepressants):  Use with caution, especially with drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir):  Darifenacin plasma concentrations may be elevated by these agents, increasing the pharmacologic and adverse effects.

Contraindication of Darifenacin - Patients with or at risk of urinary retention, gastric retention, or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma; hypersensitivity to any component of the product.

Side Effects of Darifenacin

Here are the list of some common side effects of Darifenacin :

• Hypertension (at least 1%
• Headache (7%); asthenia (3%); dizziness (2%).
• Dry skin, pruritus, rash (at least 1%).
• Dry eyes (2%); abnormal vision, pharyngitis, rhinitis (at least 1%).
• Dry mouth (35%); constipation (21%); dyspepsia (8%); abdominal pain, nausea (4%); diarrhea (2%); vomiting (at least 1%).
• Bronchitis, sinusitis (at least 1%).
• Accidental injury, flu-syndrome (3%); pain, peripheral edema (at least 1%).

Precaution and Warning while taking Darifenacin

The precaution and warnings of Darifenacin drug is as follows:

• Advise patient to read Patient Information leaflet before starting therapy and with each refill.
• Advise patient to take prescribed dose once daily without regard to meals, but to take with food if stomach upset occurs. Advise patient to swallow tablet whole with liquid and not to crush, chew, or break tablet.
• Advise patient that if a dose is missed to skip that dose and take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time the next day. Caution patient not to take 2 doses to catch up or to take 2 doses of medication in the same day.
• Caution patient not to change the dose or stop taking this medicine unless advised by health care provider. Advise patient to notify health care provider if symptoms do not improve or appear to be worsening.
• Advise patient that dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating, and blurred vision are common side effects of therapy and to notify health care provider if any occur and are intolerable.
• Instruct patient to stop taking the drug and notify health care provider immediately of the following: severe abdominal pain, sudden eye pain, inability to urinate.
• Advise patient that darifenacin can increase the risk of heat prostration and to avoid strenuous activity during periods of high temperature or humidity.
• Advise patient to take sips of water, suck on ice chips or sugarless hard candy, or chew sugarless gum if dry mouth occurs.
• Inform patient that medication may cause pupils to dilate, resulting in intolerance to bright lights or sunlight. Advise patient to wear dark glasses to make bright lights or sunlight tolerable.
• Advise patient that darifenacin may cause dizziness or blurred vision and to use caution while driving or performing other potentially dangerous activities until tolerance has been determined.
• Advise women to inform health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Warn patient not to take any prescription or OTC drugs, herbal preparations, or dietary supplements without consulting health care provider.

How to store Darifenacin

• Administer once daily without regard to meals. Administer with food if GI upset occurs.
• Administer with liquid. Advise patient to swallow tablet whole and not crush, chew, or break tablet.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F). Protect from light.