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darifenacin


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

donotYou should not use this medication if you are allergic to darifenacin, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using darifenacin, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, liver disease, a muscle disorder, ulcerative colitis, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Darifenacin can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

dizzyDarifenacin can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
donotThere are many other medicines that can interact with darifenacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as hot and dry skin, extreme thirst, severe stomach pain or constipation, pain or burning when you urinate, or if you stop urinating.

What is darifenacin?

Darifenacin reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.

Darifenacin is used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination, and incontinence (urine leakage).

Darifenacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking darifenacin?

donotYou should not use this medication if you are allergic to darifenacin, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:
  • untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma;
  • a stomach disorder causing delayed emptying; or
  • if you are unable to urinate.

Before using darifenacin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • glaucoma;
  • liver disease;
  • ulcerative colitis;
  • a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or
  • a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take darifenacin.

nopregFDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
nobrfeedIt is not known whether darifenacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take darifenacin?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

waterTake this medicine with water.

Darifenacin can be taken with or without food.

rtStore darifenacin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

emtSeek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include severe constipation or stomach pain, extreme weakness, or urinating less than usual or not at all.

What should I avoid while taking darifenacin?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Darifenacin can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

dizzyDarifenacin can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

What are the possible side effects of darifenacin?

emtGet emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
emtStop using darifenacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • hot, dry skin and extreme thirst;
  • severe stomach pain or constipation;
  • pain or burning when you urinate; or
  • urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • dry mouth;
  • dry eyes, blurred vision;
  • mild constipation;
  • diarrhea;
  • nausea, mild stomach pain or upset;
  • dizziness, weakness;
  • headache; or
  • fever, sore throat, body aches, or other flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect darifenacin?

The following drugs can interact with darifenacin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

  • other bladder or urinary medications such as flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); or
  • glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
  • flecainide (Tambocor);
  • mepenzolate (Cantil);
  • thioridazine (Mellaril);
  • HIV /AIDS medicine such as nelfinavir (Viracept) or ritonavir (Norvir);
  • an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or troleandomycin (Tao);
  • atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
  • bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
  • irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or
  • an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with darifenacin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about darifenacin.



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