Are you a healthcare professional? Join GoodRx for HCPs

Compare Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Myrbetriq (mirabegron) and tolterodine (Detrol) are both used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, but they work in different ways. Myrbetriq is a beta-3 adrenergic agonist that helps your bladder relax so it can hold more urine, while tolterodine is an anticholinergic medication that blocks certain receptors to relax bladder muscles and control spasms. Myrbetriq is taken once daily and is available only as a brand-name medication, whereas tolterodine comes in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, with generic versions available. Common side effects of Myrbetriq include high blood pressure and urinary tract infections, while tolterodine often causes dry mouth, headache, and dizziness. Myrbetriq might be safer for older adults and causes less drowsiness and constipation compared to other OAB medications, but it can raise blood pressure. Tolterodine can cause severe dry mouth and constipation and may increase the risk of falls due to dizziness or drowsiness.

Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
Tolterodine (Detrol)
Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
Tolterodine (Detrol)
Summary of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol
Summary for Beta-3 adrenergic agonist
Prescription only
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is used to help with overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. It can also treat a bladder problem called neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children 3 years and older. It works as a beta-3 adrenergic agonist to help the bladder hold more urine. Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is taken by mouth once a day. It comes as a brand-name or generic extended-release tablet. A solution made from granules of the medication is available for children, but it's brand name only. Side effects include high blood pressure, cold symptoms, and urinary tract infections.
Summary for Anticholinergic
Prescription only
Tolterodine (Detrol) is used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. It's an anticholinergic medication that helps with bladder control to lessen the need to go to the restroom suddenly or often. The immediate-release tablet (Detrol) is taken by mouth twice a day. There's also an extended-release capsule (Detrol LA) that's taken just once a day. Both formulations come in brand-name and generic-name versions. Tolterodine (Detrol) can commonly cause dry mouth. Other side effects can include headache and constipation.
Indications of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol
Indications for

•Overactive bladder (OAB) in adults

•Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children ages 3 years and older

Indications for

•Overactive bladder (OAB)
Pros and Cons of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol
Pros and Const for Beta-3 adrenergic agonist
Pros

•Helps control sudden urges to urinate, leaks, and needing to go too often

•Only taken once a day

•Causes less side effects like dry mouth than anticholinergics for overactive bladder (like oxybutynin)

•Might be safer for older adults than anticholinergics for overactive bladder

Cons

•Might raise your blood pressure

•Might have trouble fully emptying your bladder if you have a blockage in your bladder or if you also take anticholinergics for bladder control

•Not recommended if you have severe kidney or liver problems

Pros and Const for Anticholinergic
Pros

•Works well to help lessen your urge to urinate

•Might cause less dry mouth than oxybutynin

•Also available in an extended-release version that's taken only once a day

Cons

•Can cause uncomfortable dry mouth and constipation

•Can make you feel sleepy or dizzy, which can raise your risk of falls

•Can't take if you have an allergy to another OAB medication called Toviaz (fesoterodine)
Common Side Effects of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol
Common Side Effects for
Adults:

•High blood pressure (8-11%)

•Common cold symptoms (4%)

•Urinary tract infection (3-4%)

•Headache (2-3%)

•Constipation (2%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (2%)

Children:

•Urinary tract infection (24%)

•Common cold symptoms (6%)

•Constipation (5%)

•Headache (4%)

•Nausea (2%)

Common Side Effects for
Immediate-release tablets:

•Dry mouth (35%)

•Headache (7%)

•Constipation (7%)

•Stomach pain (5%)

•Dizziness or feeling like you're spinning (5%)

Extended-release capsules:

•Dry mouth (23%)

•Headache (6%)

•Constipation (6%)

•Stomach pain (4%)
Warnings of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol
Common Side Effects for

•High blood pressure

•Risk of having trouble fully emptying the bladder in certain people

•Unusual swelling of the face, lips, or throat (angioedema)

•Interactions with other medications

Common Side Effects for

•Serious allergic reaction and swelling (angioedema)

•Dizziness and drowsiness

•Caution use in people with narrow-angle glaucoma

•Caution use in people with trouble urinating

•Caution use in people with problems causing gut blockage

•Caution use in people with myasthenia gravis

•Caution use in people with certain heart rhythm problems
Prices with our coupons for Myrbetriq vs. Detrol
Learn more about Myrbetriq
Learn more about Tolterodine

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.

Compare Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Key takeaways

Summary of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Indications of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Pros and Cons of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Common Side Effects of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Warnings of Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Prices with our coupons for Myrbetriq vs. Detrol

Compare other Overactive Bladder drugs

Browse medications

Good news for your inbox