Imidafenacin for the treatment of overactive bladder

Introduction: Imidafenacin (KRP-197/ONO-8025) is the latest antimuscarinic (AM) developed for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and, at the moment, it is marketed only in Japan. This compound has been developed to improve the tolerability of AM therapy by binding specifically the M3 receptor subtype, thus limiting undesirable adverse events (AEs). Areas covered: This systematic review offers a brief explanation of the mechanism of action and of the pharmacokinetics of imidafenacin and helps readers to understand the clinical efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the compound in the setting of OAB therapy. Expert opinion: Imidafenacin is an AM drug with excellent efficacy, tolerability, and safety. It is indicated for patients with nocturia, nocturnal polyuria, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. This compound, due to its pharmacokinetic properties, gives the opportunity to be easily adjusted in its dosages. Further studies should assess the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of imidafenacin in Caucasian and African populations because this AM agent, at the moment, has been evaluated just in Asian populations. More studies should evaluate and compare efficacy, safety, and tolerability of imidafenacin also with other largely utilized AMs, such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, and fesoterodine, or with the other M3 selective compound, darifenacin.