darifenacin at a glance
Medicine class
Antimuscarinic, also called an anticholinergic.
Usual role
Controls urgency, frequent urination and urge incontinence associated with overactive bladder in adults.
Food
The tablet can be taken with or without food.
Tablet handling
Swallow the prolonged-release tablet whole with liquid; do not chew, divide or crush it.
What is darifenacin used for?
Darifenacin is licensed in adults for symptomatic treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.
Leakage associated with a sudden compelling need to urinate
Increased urinary urgency
Increased urinary frequency
How does darifenacin work?
Darifenacin selectively blocks muscarinic M3 receptors in vitro. These receptors help control bladder-muscle contraction, so blocking them reduces involuntary contractions and allows the bladder to hold more urine. It is not established that M3 selectivity provides an advantage over other antimuscarinics.
darifenacin preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 7.5 mg, 15 mg
How to take darifenacin
Follow the instructions on the dispensing label.
Swallow the prolonged-release tablet whole with liquid.
Do not chew, divide or crush it because this may alter its prolonged-release properties.
It may be taken with or without food.
Tell the prescriber if grapefruit juice is consumed regularly because it can increase darifenacin exposure.
darifenacin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dry eyes
- Nasal dryness
- Abdominal pain, nausea or indigestion
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing: stop darifenacin and get immediate medical help.
- Inability to pass urine: seek urgent assessment.
- New confusion or hallucinations: obtain prompt medical advice, particularly in an older or vulnerable person.
darifenacin in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited, and darifenacin is not recommended during pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy or thinks they may be pregnant should ask the prescriber to review treatment.
darifenacin while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether darifenacin enters human milk, so risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Continuing darifenacin or breastfeeding requires an individual benefit–risk assessment; specialist advice is particularly important for a premature or unwell infant.
darifenacin interactions
Check prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products because some interactions alter darifenacin exposure or increase anticholinergic effects.
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir
These can markedly increase darifenacin exposure; concurrent use is contraindicated.
Ciclosporin and verapamil
These potent P-glycoprotein inhibitors should be avoided with darifenacin.
Erythromycin, clarithromycin, fluconazole and grapefruit juice
These may increase darifenacin exposure and require prescriber review.
Common questions about darifenacin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What bladder symptoms does darifenacin treat?
It treats urgency, frequent urination and leakage caused by urgency in adults with overactive bladder syndrome.
Can darifenacin tablets be crushed or split?
No. They are prolonged-release tablets and must be swallowed whole with liquid.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.