8 Myrbetriq Side Effects You Should Know About

Gotta pee all the time? Having trouble sleeping through the night or making it to the bathroom without leaking? These are all common symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) — a condition that affects over 33 million U.S. adults.

Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is one OAB medication option for adults. It’s also FDA approved for neurogenic detrusor overactivity (a type of bladder issue) for children as young as age 3. Myrbetriq is generally well tolerated and tends to cause fewer side effects than other OAB medications. But it still has some side effects to know about if you or your child are taking it.

Myrbetriq side effects at a glance

In most cases, Myrbetriq is well tolerated and causes few side effects. Below is a list of mild Myrbetriq side effects, as well as the rare, but more serious risks reported in clinical studies. Keep in mind that this isn’t a complete list. So be sure to reach out to your healthcare team about any side effects that appear while taking Myrbetriq, even if they aren’t listed below.

Mild Myrbetriq side effects include:

• High blood pressure

• Cold symptoms

• Urinary tract infections (UITs)

• Headache

• Constipation (more common in children)

• Fast heart rate

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Joint pain

Rare, but more serious Myrbetriq side effects include:

• Very high blood pressure

• Trouble peeing

• Angioedema (severe swelling of the face, mouth, and/or throat)

• Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm)

• Bladder pain

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Let’s take a closer look at eight Myrbetriq side effects and how to manage them if they occur.

1. High blood pressure

In initial clinical studies, Myrbetriq increased blood pressure in some people taking it. The changes were small, and not likely to be an issue for most people. But if you’re already living with high blood pressure (hypertension), it’s possible Myrbetriq could worsen it.

This side effect is more likely in people ages 65 and older taking Myrbetriq. And if your blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg or higher, Myrbetriq isn’t recommended.

Regular exercise, a low-sodium diet, and cutting back on alcohol are all helpful ways to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level while you’re taking Myrbetriq.

You may not notice any symptoms if Myrbetriq raises your blood pressure. So your prescriber will likely check your blood pressure before you start taking it. And they’ll also check it from time to time (or have you do so at home) while you’re taking Myrbetriq. This is more likely if you have high blood pressure or take medications for it.

Keep in mind, this side effect can happen in kids too. Ask your child’s prescriber about checking their blood pressure, if needed.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Comparing overactive bladder medications: Two main groups of medications treat overactive bladder (OAB), and they differ on a few fronts.

• Myrbetriq (mirabegron) versus oxybutynin: These are first-choice medications for OAB, but they work differently and have different side effects.

• Peeing more often than usual? Learn about the different causes of frequent urination and what you can do about it.

2. Cold symptoms

Common cold symptoms were another Myrbetriq side effect reported in clinical studies. This may include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, or cough. In most cases, these symptoms should resolve on their own. If they’re bothersome, you can treat them with an over-the-counter (OTC) cold medication, as long as your prescriber OK’s it.

If your cold symptoms last more than 7 to 10 days, talk with your healthcare team. They can help you figure out what’s causing them and suggest a treatment, if needed.

3. Urinary tract infection

In clinical studies, UTIs were a reported Myrbetriq side effect. But UTIs are also common in people living with OAB. And a recent review found that taking Myrbetriq doesn’t seem to increase the risk of UTIs. Still, it’s helpful to know how to spot a UTI if you develop one.

UTI symptoms, such as a frequent urge to pee, may be similar to your OAB symptoms. But if you have pain when peeing, new or abnormal pain in your lower belly, or your OAB symptoms are getting worse, let your prescriber know. They can test your urine for bacteria to see if an infection is present and provide treatment if needed.

Parents and caregivers should also watch for signs of a UTI in children taking Myrbetriq. These can include bedwetting or foul-smelling urine, along with the symptoms described above. If your prescriber suspects a UTI, they’ll typically recommend treatment with an antibiotic.

4. Headache

Headaches are a possible Myrbetriq side effect, but they don’t happen often. And headaches were just as common in people taking a placebo (sugar pill) in clinical studies.

Dehydration is a common cause of headaches, and it may worsen your OAB symptoms, too. So be sure to drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Headaches often go away on their own. But an OTC pain reliever, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen), can also help (with your prescriber’s OK). If your headaches persist or are severe, contact your healthcare team. They can make sure there’s not something else causing them.

5. Digestive issues

Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects aren’t likely to happen with Myrbetriq. But in clinical studies, a small number of people reported nausea, diarrhea, or constipation while taking it. Constipation is more likely if you’re taking Myrbetriq along with Vesicare (solifenacin), another OAB medication. Constipation also seems to be more common in kids taking Myrbetriq.

You can take Myrbetriq tablets with or without food. But taking it with food may help lessen or prevent nausea. To prevent constipation, be sure you’re getting enough fluids and fiber. Regular exercise can also help keep things moving. If diarrhea is an issue, choose foods that aren’t spicy, fatty, or fried. A probiotic supplement may also help.

If home remedies aren’t cutting it, there are OTC treatment options that may help your symptoms. A stool softener or laxative can help relieve constipation. While a medication like loperamide (Imodium A-D) can help with diarrhea. Just make sure any OTC option you choose is safe to take with your other medications and health conditions.

If your GI symptoms continue or worsen, contact your healthcare team to have them checked out.

6. Dizziness

Some people taking Myrbetriq may feel dizzy. It’s not a common side effect, but dizziness can have a negative effect on your daily life if it happens. And a small number of people in clinical trials had to stop taking Myrbetriq because of it.

A good general rule to follow is to be careful when driving or doing anything that requires coordination when starting Myrbetriq. You can resume these activities once you know how it affects you if dizziness isn’t an issue. Staying hydrated can also help prevent dizziness from happening. You can also talk to your prescriber about taking once-daily Myrbetriq at bedtime to reduce daytime dizziness.

If you feel dizzy after starting Myrbetriq, let your prescriber know. They may want to wait and see if it improves on its own. Or they may decide to try a different OAB medication. If you feel dizzy along with chest pain or trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care. These could be signs of a more serious medical issue.

Good to know: Other OAB medications, such as Vesicare, can cause dizziness and confusion in older adults. But Myrbetriq hasn’t been linked to cognitive changes in adults ges 65 and older. And there doesn’t seem to be a difference in the risk of dizziness for older adults versus younger adults either.

7. Trouble peeing

Myrbetriq works by relaxing the muscles in your bladder. But sometimes, this can make it harder for your bladder to contract enough to fully empty when you pee (urinary retention). You may notice pain in your lower belly or have trouble peeing, even if you feel the urge to go. This side effect is more likely if you take Myrbetriq along with certain other OAB medications. It’s also more common if something is blocking urine from flowing freely (bladder obstruction).

If urinary retention isn’t treated, it could lead to bladder or kidney damage. So be sure to let your prescriber know if you’re having trouble peeing or notice that you’re peeing less than usual — especially if you also have stomach pain.

8. Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

Angioedema is a very rare Myrbetriq side effect. But it can be life-threatening in some cases. Angioedema often happens after your first dose of Myrbetriq, but it can also happen at any time while you’re taking it.

Symptoms of angioedema include a puffy face, swelling of the mouth and tongue, and trouble breathing or swallowing. If these symptoms appear, call 911 or get immediate medical attention. You’ll likely need to stop taking Myrbetriq and find another OAB treatment option.

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Written by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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