Enablex for Treatment of Frequent Urge to Pee and Overactive Bladder in Men and Women
by Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger, a board-certified urologist, and specialist in the treatment of urinary problems in men and women including frequent urination, burning with urination and urinary retention.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Enablex for Treatment of Urinary Frequency and Urgency
Enablex (Darifenacin) Treatment for Overactive Bladder
Enablex is a medication that decreases detrusor muscle spasm in the urinary bladder and relaxes the detrusor muscle. This delays the desire and urge to urinate and decreases the urgency and frequency of urination. Darifenacin is an effective treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). OAB affects millions of people. Overactive bladder refers to a set of urinary symptoms, including a sudden strong urge to urinate and needing to pee very frequently. Some people leak a little urine when the urge to urinate occurs. This is called urge urinary incontinence.
The Benefits of Enablex
Enablex decreases urinary frequency in patients with symptoms of OAB. It also increases bladder capacity which allows more time for the urinary bladder to fill before a patient senses the urge to urinate. Enablex decreases the frequency of urinary incontinence episodes in men and women.
How to Take Enablex?
Darifenacin is prescribed for urgency to pee and urge urinary incontinence. Enablex works by blocking muscarinic receptors that are responsible for bladder muscle contractions, thereby decreasing the urgency to urinate. The recommended Enablex dosage is 7.5 mg or 15 mg once a day. Based on individual response, this may be increased to 15 mg daily a few weeks after starting therapy. It can be taken with or without food. The tablet should be taken whole with water. Crushing, chewing, or dividing the extended-release tablet is NOT recommended.
Who Should Not Take Enablex?
The medication must be used with caution with patients with liver disease. It is also contraindicated in patients with urinary retention, gastric retention, and uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Administration of darifenacin requires extreme care in men and women with significant bladder outflow obstruction or gastrointestinal obstruction.
Enablex Side Effects
Darifenacin is well tolerated by most patients. Some studies show that it causes less side effects such as dry mouth compared to oxybutynin. The most commonly reported side effects of this drug are constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, and headache, but these are rarely severe enough to warrant discontinuation of therapy.
Experienced urologists at New York Urology Specialists have expertise in controlling bladder symptoms in both men and women with a number of therapies. If the side effects of Enablex are intolerable, other treatment options for overactive bladder are available. It is worth noting that all anticholinergics can worsen cognitive function in elderly patients and people with dementia. Talk to our urologists today for appropriate long-term treatment of overactive bladder in New York City.
Can You Take Myrbetriq and Enablex Together?
Scientific research and the discovery of new information continuously leads to improvement in the management of overactive bladder. Symptoms of this condition, such as frequency, urgency, and urine leak, are often closely linked to a patient’s quality of life. Our experience at New York Urology Specialists shows that combination therapy with mirabegron (Myrbetriq) and (darifenacin) Enablex is more effective than either drug alone. These two medications have different mechanisms of action and therefore act synergistically to alleviate symptoms.
The anticholinergic medication addresses the detrusor muscle overactivity. Myrbetriq, which is the only beta-3 agonist approved for overactive bladder treatment in the USA, makes the bladder less sensitive to distention. There is no increase in adverse events experienced by patients receiving both medications together.
Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation and Enablex Combination Treatment
In men and women with refractory urge incontinence, neuromodulation devices such as posterior tibial nerve stimulator are a reasonable option. Urgency incontinence is considered refractory or unresponsive to treatment when a patient does not improve despite a trial or two or three anticholinergic drugs and behavioral modifications like bladder retraining and pelvic floor strengthening.
Our experience at New York Urology Specialists shows that combined therapy with tibial neuromodulation and darifenacin produces superior results compared to either treatment alone. PTNS is administered in weekly sessions for 12 weeks via a thin needle inserted near the ankle. This needle is used to electrically stimulate the tibial nerve which controls bladder function. Together with Enablex, it has been shown to improve urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. The treatment cycle can be repeated if symptoms recur. This combination therapy is a safe and effective treatment for overactive bladder in men and women.
At New York Urology Specialists, we have helped thousands of patients in New York City obtain a better quality of life by effectively treating urinary symptoms. Call our offices today for an appointment. Our board-certified urologists will evaluate your symptoms and suggest the most appropriate treatment for urinary frequency and urgency.
Treatment Options When Enablex (darifenacin) Does Not Work
For some patients, darifenacin (Enablex) does not provide sufficient benefit with urinary control problems. For many patients, other medications may help such as oxybutynin, Myrbetriq, and Vesicare. Often, a different approach may need to be taken. Further evaluation including bladder ultrasound with post-void residual, urodynamic testing, and cystoscopy may be necessary.
For patients with overactive bladder symptoms and neurogenic bladder, Botox injections in the bladder detrusor muscles often provide significant benefit when Enablex and other oral medications do not work. Sacral neuromodulation with Interstim is effective for bladder control for many patients who do not benefit from oral medications such as darifenacin, Vesicare, Myrbetriq and for whom Botox injections and tibial neuromodulation do not work.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call/text: 646-663-4151
Urinary Problems Are Treatable in Nearly Every Man and Woman
At New York Urology Specialists, our urologists are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of urinary problems. We understand the challenges that urinary problems create for our patients, their relationships and their self-esteem. We help you find a treatment for your urinary problems that fit your needs, lifestyle, and your preferences.
Urologists are doctors specializing in the treatment of women and men with frequent urination, poor urine flow, frequent UTI, blood in urine, urinary incontinence, urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate, prior surgery, neuropathy, chemotherapy, and radiation. By virtue of our experience and skill, we are able to offer an effective treatment option for nearly every man and women who desire an effective treatment for their urinary problems. We specialize in minimally invasive highly effective treatment for symptoms of bladder pain, urethral burning, pelvic discomfort, incomplete bladder emptying, urinary frequency, and urgency.
We offer medical and surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Treatment of Urinary Problems?
- All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in treating men with symptoms of frequent urination, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence and bladder pain using medical therapy, minimally invasive therapies, lasers, and open surgery.
- We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for treatment of urinary problems in men and women
- We offer treatment options for overactive bladder, UTI and urinary incontinence in our office which avoids the risks, costs, and recovery from general anesthesia.
- Extensive Experience: Hundreds of men and wo men have been treated successfully using medical therapy, Botox for overactive bladder, Interstim for frequent urination and tibial neuromodulation.
|
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Shteynshlyuger:
If you have any questions about testicular prosthesis treatment, schedule a consultation, contact us or call/text: 1-(646) 646-4151. We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist, who specializes in all aspects of care for men and women with urinary problems including frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary urgency, and incontinence. He has successfully treated hundreds of men and women with urinary problems including urinary retention, painful urination, and frequent urination.