Gemtesa: uses, side effects, dosage, price, and more

Gemtesa (vibegron) is a prescription drug used to treat overactive bladder symptoms in adults. Gemtesa comes as tablets that you’ll swallow. Gemtesa is used in adults to treat symptoms of

overactive bladder. These symptoms include: * urge incontinence (a sudden, intense urge to urinate that causes you to leak urine before you can get to a bathroom) * urgency (needing to

urinate right away) * frequency (needing to urinate often) To learn more about Gemtesa’s uses, see the “Gemtesa uses” section. GEMTESA BASICS Gemtesa contains the active ingredient vibegron.

(An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Gemtesa belongs to a group of drugs called beta-3 agonists. Gemtesa isn’t available as a generic. Gemtesa side effects Like most drugs,

Gemtesa may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Gemtesa may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that the side effects of a drug can depend on: * your age * other health conditions you have * other medications you take Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the

potential side effects of Gemtesa. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. MILD SIDE EFFECTS Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Gemtesa can cause. To learn

about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Gemtesa’s prescribing information. Mild side effects of Gemtesa that have been reported include: * headache *

swelling in your throat or nose * diarrhea * nausea * upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold * dry mouth * constipation * hot flashes * producing more urine than usual *

urinary tract infection * bronchitis Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS Serious side effects from Gemtesa can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Gemtesa, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re

having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. Serious side effects of Gemtesa that have been reported include urinary retention (not being able to empty

your bladder). ALLERGIC REACTION For some people, Gemtesa can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but there have been reports since the drug

was approved for use. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. WHAT MIGHT HELP? If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your

doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Gemtesa. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as

swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. If your doctor confirms

you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gemtesa, they may have you switch to a different treatment. What is Gemtesa’s dosage? Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Gemtesa that’s right

for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but ALWAYS TAKE THE DOSAGE YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBES. FORM AND STRENGTH (75 MG) Gemtesa comes as tablets that you swallow. They’re available in one

strength: 75 milligrams (mg). RECOMMENDED DOSAGE You’ll take Gemtesa once daily. QUESTIONS ABOUT GEMTESA’S DOSAGE Below are some common questions about Gemtesa’s dosage. * WHAT IF I MISS A

DOSE OF GEMTESA? If you miss a dose of Gemtesa, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. You

should not take more than one dose of Gemtesa at a time. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects. * WILL I NEED TO USE GEMTESA LONG TERM? Yes. If you and your doctor agree that

Gemtesa is safe and working well for you, you’ll likely use it long term. * HOW LONG DOES GEMTESA TAKE TO WORK? Gemtesa begins working after you take your first dose. But it may take a few

weeks before your symptoms begin to ease. In studies, people whose symptoms improved with Gemtesa treatment had decreased overactive bladder symptoms within 2 to 12 weeks. What is Gemtesa’s

price? Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. If you have questions about how to

pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Gemtesa Simple Savings Program may also be available for Gemtesa. You can also check out this article to

learn more about saving money on prescriptions. COUPONS FOR GEMTESA Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Gemtesa when you use the coupons. These coupons

can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits. What are some frequently asked questions about

Gemtesa? Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Gemtesa. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR GEMTESA TO START WORKING? Gemtesa typically starts working within a few days after your first

dose. In studies, people taking Gemtesa reported fewer symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) within 2 weeks of starting the medication. And Gemtesa further reduced OAB symptoms when taken

long term. If you do not feel like Gemtesa is working for you, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether Gemtesa is the most effective treatment for you. HOW DOES GEMTESA COMPARE

WITH MYRBETRIQ AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES? If you’re considering treatment with Gemtesa, you may wonder how it compares with alternative treatments for OAB, such as Myrbetriq or oxybutynin. The

table below provides some key details about Gemtesa and a few alternatives. To learn more about treatment options for OAB, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. DRUG NAME FORM DOSE GENERIC

AVAILABLE? Gemtesa (vibegron) • tablets that you swallow once daily no Myrbetriq (mirabegron) • extended-release* tablets that you swallow • extended-release liquid suspension once daily yes

Ditropan XL (oxybutynin)† • extended-release tablets that you swallow once daily yes Vesicare (solifenacin) • tablets that you swallow once daily yes _* “Extended release” means the drug is

released into your body over time after you take it. † Ditropan XL has been discontinued, but oxybutynin is available in other forms. To learn more, talk with your pharmacist or doctor._

DOES GEMTESA CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN? No, Gemtesa isn’t known to cause weight gain. Weight changes weren’t reported in the drug’s studies. But it’s important to note that having overweight or

obesity can worsen OAB symptoms, which the drug is prescribed to treat. If you’re concerned about your weight while taking Gemtesa, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways to manage

your weight as part of your OAB treatment plan. Gemtesa uses Gemtesa is used in adults who have the following urinary symptoms caused by overactive bladder (OAB): * urge incontinence (a

sudden urge to urinate followed by losing control of your bladder) * urgency (needing to urinate right away) * frequency (needing to urinate often) OAB is a condition that causes a sudden

urge to urinate, and it may cause incontinence (not being able to control urination). These symptoms are often unpredictable, which can affect your daily life. The exact cause of OAB is

unknown. But the symptoms are caused by your bladder muscles contracting involuntarily. This sends signals to your brain that you need to urinate, even if your bladder isn’t full. It can

also cause your bladder to release urine suddenly. Gemtesa works to treat symptoms of OAB by sending signals that relax your bladder muscles. This allows your bladder to fill to capacity

before sending your brain signals that you need to urinate. How is Gemtesa taken? Your doctor will explain how you should take Gemtesa. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. TAKING GEMTESA Gemtesa comes as tablets that you swallow. You should take the tablets with a full glass of water. ACCESSIBLE MEDICATION

CONTAINERS AND LABELS If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that: * have large print *

use braille * contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your

current pharmacy doesn’t. Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Gemtesa in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist

may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container. QUESTIONS ABOUT TAKING GEMTESA Below are some common questions about taking Gemtesa. * CAN GEMTESA BE CHEWED,

CRUSHED, OR SPLIT? Gemtesa tablets may be crushed and mixed with 1 tablespoon of applesauce. This mixture should be eaten right away with a full glass of water. * SHOULD I TAKE GEMTESA WITH

FOOD? You can take Gemtesa doses with or without food. But you should take each tablet with a full glass of water. * IS THERE A BEST TIME OF DAY TO TAKE GEMTESA? No, there’s no best time of

day to take Gemtesa. But you should take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body. > QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR > You may have 

questions about Gemtesa and your treatment plan. It’s > important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. >  > Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion: >

  >     * Before your appointment, write down questions such as:  >  >     * How will Gemtesa affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? >  >     * Bring someone with you to your 

appointment if doing so will help > you feel more comfortable. >     * If you don’t understand something related to your condition or > treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to 

you. >  > Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are > available to help you. And they want you to get the best care > possible. So don’t be afraid to ask 

questions or offer feedback on > your treatment. What should be considered before taking Gemtesa? Before you begin taking Gemtesa, it’s important to discuss certain considerations with

your doctor. This includes any medical conditions you may have or other medications you take. INTERACTIONS Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how

the medication works. These effects are called interactions. Before taking Gemtesa, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter

types. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Gemtesa. For information about

drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below. You can also check out this article on Gemtesa’s interactions. INTERACTIONS WITH DRUGS OR SUPPLEMENTS Gemtesa can interact with

the heart drug digoxin (Lanoxin). It’s usually safe to take digoxin with Gemtesa, but your doctor may monitor you more closely during treatment. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more

about this interaction. WARNINGS Gemtesa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect

whether Gemtesa is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Gemtesa. Factors to consider include those in the list below. * SEVERE

KIDNEY PROBLEMS: In most cases, it should be safe for people with mild or moderate kidney problems (such as mild chronic kidney disease) to take Gemtesa. But if you have a severe kidney

problem, such as end stage kidney disease, your doctor will likely suggest a treatment other than Gemtesa. Gemtesa hasn’t been studied in people with severe kidney problems. To learn more,

talk with your doctor. * SEVERE LIVER PROBLEMS: People with mild or moderate liver problems are usually able to take Gemtesa. But the drug hasn’t been studied in people with severe liver

problems. It’s not known if the drug is safe to take if you have severe liver problems. Alcohol-related liver disease is an example of a liver problem that can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Your doctor can tell you more about how severe your liver condition is. They can also discuss treatments that may be safer for you instead. * DIFFICULTY EMPTYING YOUR BLADDER OR A WEAK URINE

STREAM: Gemtesa can cause urinary retention. If you already have difficulty emptying your bladder, using Gemtesa could worsen your condition. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for

you to take Gemtesa. * ALLERGIC REACTION: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Gemtesa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Gemtesa. Ask them what other

medications are better options for you. GEMTESA AND ALCOHOL There’s no known interaction between Gemtesa and alcohol. But alcohol and Gemtesa can cause some of the same side effects,

including headache, diarrhea, and nausea. Combining the two could raise your risk of these side effects. In addition, alcohol may worsen symptoms of overactive bladder. This is because

alcohol can cause you to urinate more often, which may irritate your bladder. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, may be safe to drink with your condition and

treatment plan. PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Gemtesa while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become

pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor about whether Gemtesa is right for you. What should be done in case of overdose? Do not take more Gemtesa than your doctor prescribes. Taking

more than this can lead to serious side effects. WHAT TO DO IN CASE YOU TAKE TOO MUCH GEMTESA Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Gemtesa. You can also call 800-222-1222 to

reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. BUT IF YOU HAVE SEVERE SYMPTOMS, IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room. What to

ask your doctor If you’re interested in learning more about Gemtesa for treating overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, talk with your doctor. Ask questions to help determine whether Gemtesa or

another treatment is right for you. Some example questions to get you started include: * Do any of my medical conditions raise my risk of side effects from Gemtesa? * If I frequently get

urinary tract infections (UTIs), is it safe for me to take Gemtesa? * What should I do if my OAB symptoms worsen while I’m taking Gemtesa? To learn more about Gemtesa, see these articles: *

Side Effects of Gemtesa: What You Need to Know * Dosage Details for Gemtesa * Gemtesa and Cost: What You Need to Know * Gemtesa Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others To get

information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a

place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others. DISCLAIMER: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct,

comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your

doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions,

precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug

combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. GEMTESA IMAGES *