Bladder problems are common in people with MS and usually consist of urgency, frequency, incomplete emptying, and, sometimes, incontinence. While a urinary tract infection should always be excluded before starting any treatment, Enablex (darifenacin) may be prescribed for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are experiencing ongoing bladder dysfunction.
Darifenacin is an antimuscarinic medicine. Antimuscarinic drugs reduce involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles, and increase bladder capacity. They are used in people with MS to treat overactive bladder, the result of uncontrollable muscle contractions that lead to urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence. Darifenacin works by relaxing the bladder muscles and preventing contractions, reducing the frequency of uninhibited contractions of the bladder muscle and slowing the desire, frequency, and urgency to emptying the bladder, and also reducing stomach muscle contractions, salivation, and iris sphincter function.
Darifenacin is an extended-release oral tablet. It is usually taken in a 7.5 mg dose once a day with plenty of liquid, and can be increased two weeks after starting therapy to 15 mg once a day, if needed. This medication may be taken with or without food, but should be at around the same time every day.
Common Enablex side effects may include nausea, indigestion, stomach pain or constipation, dry mouth, hot and dry skin, painful urination, and blurred vision.
There is a generic version of Enablex approved by the FDA as well.
Read the latest news on bladder dysfunction and multiple sclerosis.
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