7 Gemtesa (Vibegron) Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Read on to learn the side effects of Gemtesa for overactive bladder, including common and rare side effects, and how to manage them.
Gemtesa
Used for Overactive Bladder
Used for Overactive Bladder
Gemtesa (vibegron) is used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. This includes OAB in people who are taking medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Gemtesa (vibegron) belongs to the drug class called beta-3 adrenergic agonists. It works to relax the bladder muscle. Gemtesa (vibegron) comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects aren't common but can include headache and cold symptoms. Gemtesa (vibegron) is only available as a brand-name medication; there's no generic version yet.
What is Gemtesa (vibegron)?
What is Gemtesa (vibegron) used for?
- Overactive bladder (OAB) in adults
- Overactive bladder in adults taking medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
How Gemtesa (vibegron) works
Gemtesa (vibegron) is a beta-3 adrenergic agonist. It acts on a protein in your bladder called beta-3 adrenergic receptor. This causes your bladder muscles to relax so that your bladder can hold more urine. It helps lessen the need to go to the bathroom as often.
When does Gemtesa (vibegron) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Gemtesa |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Beta-3 adrenergic agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Gemtesa (vibegron)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (4%)
- Cold symptoms (3%)
- Diarrhea (2%)
- Nausea (2%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Hot flush
- Trouble emptying the bladder
Gemtesa (vibegron) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Trouble urinating or emptying your bladder: can't urinate, often urinating small amounts at a time, feel like you still need to urinate even after you just went, pain in the lower stomach
- Severe allergic reaction: swelling in the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing
When do Gemtesa (vibegron) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Risk of angioedema (swelling of the face, throat, or stomach)
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
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The following Gemtesa (vibegron) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
Get your GoodRx coupon
$627.10
GoodRx discount
$500.43
Pros and cons of Gemtesa (vibegron)
Pros
- A first-choice option for overactive bladder
- Can take with anticholinergics for OAB, if needed
- Can crush tablets and mix with applesauce if you have trouble swallowing pills
Cons
- Can take several weeks to see full benefit for your symptoms
- Not recommended for people with severe liver or kidney problems
- Hasn't been studied in children
Pharmacist tips for Gemtesa (vibegron)
- You can take Gemtesa (vibegron) at any time of day, with or without food. If it's hurting your stomach, try taking it with food next time to help.
- Swallow the Gemtesa (vibegron) tablet whole with a glass of water.
- If you have trouble swallowing the Gemtesa (vibegron) tablet whole, you can crush it and mix it with a tablespoon of applesauce. After mixing, take the mixture right away along with a glass of water.
- Tell your care team if you have trouble urinating while taking Gemtesa (vibegron). This can include not being able to urinate at all, feeling like you still need to go after you just went, or only urinating small amounts often. These can be signs of urinary retention. It's important to get it checked out to help prevent other problems.
- Get medical help right away if your face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or neck start to swell. Call 911 right away if you have trouble breathing. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction to Gemtesa (vibegron) and need emergency medical care.
- If you take the heart medication digoxin (Lanoxin), tell the healthcare professional who manages that treatment that you're taking Gemtesa (vibegron). You might need blood tests more often to check your digoxin levels. Gemtesa (vibegron) can change the amount of digoxin in your body. This can raise your risk of serious side effects from digoxin. Your healthcare professional can adjust your digoxin dose if needed to keep you safe.
- Talk to your care team about foods that might be a good idea for you to avoid while taking Gemtesa (vibegron). Certain foods can irritate the bladder and make your urinary symptoms worse. They can include alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks (sodas), spicy foods, and citrus fruits. Work with your care team on a meal plan that meets your needs.
- If you become pregnant or are breastfeeding: Tell your care team. They can help you understand the risks and benefits of taking Gemtesa (vibegron). It's not clear if this medication is safe for you and your baby. Your prescriber can help choose a safe option for you.
More on Gemtesa (vibegron) tips
Risks and warnings for Gemtesa (vibegron)
Gemtesa (vibegron) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of urinary retention (trouble emptying the bladder completely)
- Risk factors: Blockage in the bladder | Taking medications for overactive bladder called anticholinergics
Some people who take Gemtesa (vibegron) might have problems urinating or emptying their bladder all the way. This is called urinary retention. The risk might be higher if you have a blockage in your bladder. It might also be higher if you take anticholinergic medications for overactive bladder.
It's important to tell your care team if you notice problems urinating. Holding urine in your bladder too long can lead to other problems. This can include a urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder damage, or kidney damage. Let your prescriber know if you can't urinate or if you feel like you still need to go even after you just went.
Angioedema (swelling of face, mouth, throat, or other body part)
Angioedema can happen at any time while taking Gemtesa (vibegron). This can look like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or other parts of the body. More seriously, swelling of the throat or tongue can make it hard to breathe and can be life-threatening.
Get medical help right away if you notice swelling in your face, lips, eyelids, or the back of your hands or feet. Call 911 right away if you have swelling in your neck or tongue, any serious swelling, or trouble breathing.
Gemtesa (vibegron) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 75mg of Gemtesa (vibegron) is $500.43 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 20.20% off the average retail price of $627.10. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75mg | 30 tablets | $500.43 | $16.68 |
Typical dosage for Gemtesa (vibegron)
The typical dose is 75 mg by mouth once a day.
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How much does Gemtesa (vibegron) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Gemtesa (brand)
$500.43
What are alternatives to Gemtesa (vibegron)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Gemtesa (vibegron). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Gemtesa (vibegron)
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