Key takeaways:
Gemtesa (vibegron) treats overactive bladder (OAB). How long it takes Gemtesa to work can vary from person to person. Some people will see improvement in just a few weeks. It can take up to 12 weeks (3 months) to see maximum improvement.
Gemtesa is considered safe to take, and it may have fewer side effects than other medications used for OAB, such as anticholinergics.
There are ways to save on Gemtesa. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can lower your cost to as little as $0 for a 3-month supply.
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Overactive bladder (OAB) often comes with unpleasant symptoms that can interrupt your daily activities. For example, the urgent need to pee throughout the day can lead to accidents.
Gemtesa (vibegron) is an oral prescription medication that treats OAB. In fact, it can be a first-choice option if you need medication to manage your symptoms.
If you or a loved one are prescribed Gemtesa, learning a few facts about it will help you know what to expect. How long does it take for Gemtesa to work? What’s the best time to take it? Here, we’ll answer these Gemtesa frequently asked questions and more.
1. How long does it take for Gemtesa to work?
Gemtesa can take up to 12 weeks (3 months) to significantly improve OAB symptoms. But this doesn’t mean it will take this long to see any improvement in symptoms. Some people taking Gemtesa may see improvements as early as 2 weeks after starting treatment.
When starting Gemtesa, watch for signs that your symptoms are improving, such as needing to pee less throughout the day and having less urgency to pee.
2. When is the best time to take Gemtesa?
What time of day you take Gemtesa doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you take it once a day, with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can crush a Gemtesa tablet and mix it with a tablespoon (15 mL) of applesauce. Then, take it right away with a glass of water.
Take your Gemtesa dosage at whatever time of day you’re most likely to remember to take it. If you’re frequently forgetting doses, consider using a medication reminder app. You can also use physical reminders, such as posting sticky notes in areas of your home that you see on a daily basis. And if you take several medications, a pill organizer can help.
3. Is Gemtesa effective if taken every other day?
The recommended Gemtesa dosage is one 75 mg tablet once daily. Gemtesa needs to stay at a steady level in your body to work properly. So taking Gemtesa every other day might not manage your bladder symptoms as well. Plus, skipping doses can make your symptoms return or get worse.
If you find it hard to remember to take Gemtesa every day, try setting a reminder. It might also be helpful to take it at the same time each day to help establish a routine that eventually becomes second nature to you.
Talk to your prescriber if you’re thinking about changing how often you take Gemtesa. They can help you find the safest and best way to manage your bladder symptoms.
4. How does Gemtesa work?
Gemtesa works by relaxing your bladder muscles. This helps your bladder hold more urine so you don’t have to go to the bathroom as often. It’s part of a group of medications called beta-3 adrenergic agonists.
Beta-3 adrenergic agonists like Gemtesa — and another medication called Myrbetriq (mirabegron) — activate receptors (binding sites) in the bladder. This causes bladder muscles to relax. Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are different from other common medication options for OAB called anticholinergic medications. Common OAB anticholinergics include oxybutynin (Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA), and solifenacin (Vesicare).
Need to pee frequently? Explore some of the top causes of frequent urination, from health conditions to medications.
Comparing treatments for overactive bladder: There’s not necessarily one medication that’s best for treating overactive bladder. The best medication for you depends on your health history and personal preferences.
Comparing Gemtesa and Myrbetriq: These two medications work similarly to treat overactive bladder. But they have differences, too.
While anticholinergics also cause your bladder muscles to relax, they do this in a different way. They block a chemical called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine usually causes bladder muscles to contract, making you feel like you need to pee. By blocking this chemical, anticholinergics minimize the urge to pee.
Good to know: Anticholinergic medications and beta-3 adrenergic agonists like Gemtesa are both considered first-choice medications for OAB. And sometimes, they may even be combined to treat severe OAB. The best medication for you will come down to your personal health history, preferences, and which medication causes the least side effects for you.
5. How long do you have to take Gemtesa?
How long you’ll need to take Gemtesa depends on the severity of your OAB symptoms and your individual treatment goals. Your prescriber will help you come up with a plan you feel good about.
Most Gemtesa studies lasted about 12 weeks. But one study followed participants for 52 weeks (1 year) and found that Gemtesa continued to be effective and safe. So it is possible that Gemtesa can be used as a long-term medication for OAB. Talk to your prescriber about what they think is best for you.
Gemtesa treats OAB symptoms, but it doesn't cure the condition. Even if your symptoms have improved while taking Gemtesa, don’t stop taking it without talking to your prescriber first.
6. How do you know if Gemtesa is working?
You’ll know if Gemtesa is working if and when you notice:
You’re going to the bathroom to pee less often.
You have fewer leaks or accidents.
You feel fewer sudden urges to pee.
Keep taking Gemtesa once a day as prescribed, even if you don’t feel a big difference right away. It can take a few weeks — sometimes up to 12 weeks — to notice real improvement in your bladder symptoms.
If your symptoms don’t get better or start to get worse after a few weeks, check in with your prescriber. They may recommend trying a different OAB medication.
7. Do you have to avoid anything while taking Gemtesa?
Gemtesa isn’t known to have many drug interactions. It doesn’t directly interact with any foods either. However, some medications might make your OAB symptoms worse, so it’s always best to check with your prescriber or pharmacist before taking anything new.
One relevant interaction to know about is with digoxin (Lanoxin). Gemtesa may increase levels of digoxin in the body if these two medications are taken together. Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart conditions like heart failure.
If you take digoxin, your healthcare team will check your digoxin levels before starting Gemtesa and throughout treatment. They’ll want to make sure your digoxin levels don’t increase too much. High digoxin levels raise your risk of digoxin toxicity. If your levels get too high, your prescriber may decrease your digoxin dose.
Good to know: While you don’t need to avoid certain foods with Gemtesa, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid or limit if you have OAB. This includes foods and drinks that can irritate the bladder, such as caffeine and alcohol, which can cause you to pee even more. Other foods and drinks, such as tomato-based foods, spicy foods, and citrus, can also irritate the bladder.
8. Is there a generic form of Gemtesa?
No, there isn’t a generic form of Gemtesa available at this time. Generic medications work the same way as brand-name medications and have the same active ingredient. They have the same doses and are considered to be of equal quality. But they’re typically less expensive than their brand-name counterparts.
It’s unlikely that the generic version of Gemtesa (called vibegron) will be available for several years due to patents on the brand-name product by the manufacturer.
9. Is Gemtesa safe to take?
Yes, Gemtesa is considered safe and effective for OAB. But there’s a risk of side effects with all medications, including Gemtesa.
Common Gemtesa side effects include:
Headache
Sinus irritation
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Diarrhea
Nausea
Although side effects can happen, they’re usually mild. And Gemtesa may have fewer side effects than traditional medications used for OAB (like anticholinergics) — especially in older adults.
Good to know: Gemtesa can cause urinary retention (difficulty peeing). The risk is higher in people with a condition called bladder outlet obstruction and in people who are also taking anticholinergic medications. If you’re taking Gemtesa and having trouble peeing at any point, let your prescriber know.
10. Do you gain weight on Gemtesa?
Weight gain isn’t a common side effect of Gemtesa.
Everyone’s body reacts to medications a little differently, though. Talk to your prescriber if you notice unexpected weight changes while taking Gemtesa. They can help you figure out what could be causing your weight gain. They can review your diet, activity level, and other medications you’re taking. And if Gemtesa seems to be the cause, they might recommend a different treatment option for you.
How to save on Gemtesa
There are ways to save on Gemtesa, which is only available as a brand-name medication. The average retail price of a 1-month supply of Gemtesa is about $604.00.
If you have commercial insurance and your insurance plan covers Gemtesa, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for a 90-day supply using a copay card from the manufacturer. If you have commercial insurance and Gemtesa isn’t covered by your insurance plan, you may be able to get a 30-day supply for $95.
The bottom line
Gemtesa (vibegron) is an oral medication that’s FDA approved to treat overactive bladder (OAB). It works by relaxing the bladder muscles, allowing the bladder to hold more urine so you don’t have to go to the bathroom as often.
How long it takes for Gemtesa to work varies from person to person, but you may see improvement in your symptoms within 2 weeks. It can take up to 12 weeks (3 months) to see maximum improvement.
Be sure to take Gemtesa once daily, around the same time each day, for the best results. Talk to a healthcare professional if your bladder symptoms stay the same or worsen after a few weeks. They can help you find the best bladder control medication for your needs.
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References
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Frankel, J., et al. (2021). Vibegron improves quality‐of‐life measures in patients with overactive bladder: Patient‐reported outcomes from the EMPOWUR study. International Journal of Clinical Practice.
Frankel, J., et al. (2022). An evaluation of the efficacy and safety of vibegron in the treatment of overactive bladder. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.
Lam, S., et al. (2007). Pharmacologic management of overactive bladder. Clinical Interventions in Aging.
Staskin, D., et al. (2020). International Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo and active controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vibegron in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder: EMPOWUR. The Journal of Urology.
Staskin, D., et al. (2021). Once-daily vibegron 75 mg for overactive bladder: Long-term safety and efficacy from a double-blind extension study of the International Phase 3 Trial (EMPOWUR). The Journal of Urology.
Sumitomo Pharma America. (2025). Gemtesa - vibegron tablet, film coated [package insert].
Urology Care Foundation. (n.d.). What is overactive bladder (OAB)? American Urological Association.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Determination of regulatory review period for purposes of patent extension; GEMTESA. Federal Register.
