Enablex

Enablex is an anticholinergic that is used to treat overactive bladder symptoms such as increased urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.

It is also a urinary tract antispasmodic according to its therapeutic class. You can only buy this with a doctor’s prescription. It is sold as an extended-release tablet.

Before using Enablex, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Darifenacin should not be given to patients who have had hypersensitivity reactions to it or its ingredients. Also, you must tell your physician if you are allergic to any food, dye, preservative, animals or medications.

There has been little research done regarding the efficacy and safety of darifenacin treatment in pediatric patients.

However, adequate studies have been done regarding the effects of this medicine on the geriatric population, and these have found that darifenacin works well in this group without age-specific problems.

This medicine is a pregnancy category C for all trimesters. If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant, discuss this with your physician. It is not known if darifenacin can be passed in breast milk because there’s been little research about that.

So you need to weigh the risks and benefits carefully. Concomitant use of potassium is not recommended.

Using the following medications together with darifenacin is usually not recommended but sometimes necessary: bupropion, ceritinib, dabrafenib, donepezil, flecainide, idelalisib, lumacaftor, nilotinib, piperaquine, and thioridazine.

Concomitant use of ketoconazole can increase the risk of side effects.

Inform your doctor if you have the following medical conditions:

• bladder blockage
• intestinal/stomach problems
• myasthenia gravis
• narrow-angle glaucoma
• controlled, moderate/severe liver disease
• urinary retention

Darifenacin can make these conditions worse.

To use Enablex correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Dose and treatment duration depend on the severity of the condition. It is different for each individual. That’s why you need to follow your doctor’s instructions religiously.

Take the right medication at the right time and dosage. Don’t change anything without consulting your physician. Read the patient information sheet and talk to your doctor if you have any clarifications.

Extended-release tables should be swallowed whole and not crushed, broken, or chewed. You can take darifenacin with or without a meal. In the treatment of bladder problems, adult patients are usually prescribed 7.5 mg once daily.

The dose may be increased by your doctor depending on your progress. For missed doses, skip it and resume your normal schedule. Never double dose.

Store your medicines in a sealed container and put it in a safe place, away from children’s reach. Throw away outdate medications.

In using Enablex, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.

Go to your follow-up visits regularly. It is important that your doctor monitors your condition so that he/she can treat any side effects and prevent complications.

You also need to take precautions while taking darifenacin. This medication can cause angioedema, which can be life-threatening.

If you experience the following, you should stop taking darifenacin and consult your doctor right away:

• rash
• itching
• hive-like swelling (of the face, lips, eyelids, tongue, throat, feet, hands, legs, or sex organs)
• trouble with breathing
• and/or chest tightness

Since this medicine can also cause dizziness, you should refrain from driving, operating machinery or other tasks that need concentration. Also, darifenacin can suppress your ability to sweat.

This can increase your body temperature. So stay hydrated and avoid getting direct sun exposure and intense exercise. If you get constipated, inform your doctor.

He/She may prescribe a certain diet or laxative. Dry mouth is also an effect of darifenacin. For temporary relief, you can use sugar-free candy or gum.

If this lasts for more than 2 weeks, consult with your doctor right away. Before taking any OTC drugs or supplements, ask your doctor first.

You also need to watch out for the side effects of Enablex. You should get emergency medical attention if you have any sign of overdose like changes in vision.

Check with your doctor right away if you have the following:

• bladder pain,
• bloody/cloudy urine,
• painful urination,
• lower back or side pain,
• frequent urge to urinate,
• decreased the frequency of urination,
• decreased urine volume,
• difficulty in passing urine,
• dribbling/painful urination.

Other side effects do not need medical attention and may even go away on their own. Common side effects include sour stomach, belching, constipation, dry mouth, heartburn, and indigestion.

Less common ones include diarrhea, dizziness, loss of strength, nausea or dry eyes.

The incidence of the following side effects are not known:

• chills
• congestion
• a cough producing mucus
• dry skin
• soreness of the throat
• fever
• headache
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• itching skin
• joint pain
• muscle stiffness
• pounding in the ears
• rash
• runny nose
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sneezing
• tightness in the chest
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting or wheezing

If you experience side effects not listed here, consult with your doctor right away.