Darifenacin: An M3-selective muscarinic antagonist for the treatment of overactive bladder
Darifenacin (Enablex, Novartis) is a muscarinic antagonist in phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). Darifenacin demonstrates relative selectivity for the M3 muscarinic receptor subtype over the M1 and M2 subtypes. In clinical trials, darifenacin has been compared to placebo for the treatment of symptoms of OAB in adult men and women. Patients treated with darifenacin experienced significantly greater reductions in the number of incontinence episodes per week, nocturnal awakenings, and warning time before micturitions. It appears to have similar efficacy to available anticholinergic agents for the treatment of OAB. Commonly reported adverse events include dry mouth and constipation, and preliminary data suggest that darifenacin may be associated with decreased impairment of salivary flow versus oxybutynin. Darifenacin has not been found to have an effect on the cardiovascular system or cognition in clinical trials. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of darifenacin compared to other available anticholinergic agents such as oxybutynin and tolterodine, as well as emerging therapies. In addition, further investigation of the adverse effect profile in elderly patients is warranted.
FDA Approves Two More Denosumab Biosimilars, Conexxence and Bomyntra
March 27th 2025The fourth pair of denosumab biosimilars, Conexxence and Bomyntra, are expected to launch in the United States in mid 2025, as a result of a global settlement with Amgen, according to a company news release.
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David Calabrese of OptumRx Talks Top Three Drugs in Pipeline, Industry Trends in Q2
July 1st 2020In this week's episode of Tuning Into The C-Suite podcast, MHE's Briana Contreras chatted with David Calabrese, R.Ph, MHP, who is senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer of pharmacy care services company, OptumRx. David is also a member of Managed Healthcare Executives’ Editorial Advisory Board. During the discussion, he shared the OptumRx Quarter 2 Drug Pipeline Insights Report of 2020. Some of the information shared includes the three notable drugs currently being reviewed or those that have been recently approved by the FDA. Also discussed were any interesting industry trends to watch for.
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FDA Approves Amvuttra for ATTR-CM in Extended Label
March 21st 2025This expanded indication for Amvuttra makes it the first and only FDA-approved treatment for transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR-PN) in adults.
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