Key takeaways:
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is a first-choice medication for treating overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. It also treats a specific bladder issue, called neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), in children ages 3 years and older.
Myrbetriq can take 4 to 8 weeks (1 to 2 months) to reach its full effect. But you may notice a positive difference in your symptoms within hours to a week of starting it.
People typically take Myrbetriq for as long as they need it to help relieve their symptoms. If you stop taking it, your OAB symptoms may come back.
Myrbetriq is available as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help make your prescription more affordable — regardless of the version you fill at the pharmacy.
Save on related medications
If you often rush to the bathroom, wake up at night to pee, or worry about leaks, you could be showing signs of overactive bladder (OAB). It can feel quite disruptive, but the good news is that there are several treatments that can help you feel more in charge of your daily routine.
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is one medication to consider. It’s FDA-approved to treat OAB in adults and a bladder problem called neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children ages 3 years and older. It comes as extended-release tablets and a liquid suspension.
Here, we’ll answer six frequently asked questions about this prescription medication, including how long it takes for Myrbetriq to work, so you can know what to expect.
1. How long does Myrbetriq take to work?
Myrbetriq may start working within about 4 hours of your first dose. But it could take up to a week to start noticing a real difference in your symptoms.
Myrbetriq does this by acting as a beta-3 receptor agonist. It relaxes your bladder muscle so it can hold more urine. This can help ease OAB symptoms such as leaking (incontinence), having sudden urges to pee, and needing to go to the bathroom too often.
Keep in mind that you should take Myrbetriq once daily, every day, for the best chance of symptom relief.
2. How long does it take to see full effects from Myrbetriq?
It’s normal for it to take some time before you feel Myrbetriq’s full benefits. Clinical trials have shown that it can take 4 to 8 weeks (1 to 2 months) for Myrbetriq to be fully effective for both OAB and NDO.
What’s more, how long it takes can depend on the dose you’re prescribed. In clinical studies, people taking Myrbetriq 25 mg typically saw improvement in their symptoms within about 8 weeks, while those taking 50 mg saw improvement within 4 weeks.
Good to know: The recommended starting dosage of Myrbetriq tablets for adults is 25 mg by mouth once a day. This lower dose is recommended at first to make sure you can tolerate the medication. And, this dose may be enough to relieve your symptoms. By comparison, the recommended starting dose of Myrbetriq suspension for children is based on their body weight. In either case, if you’re not seeing enough improvement in your symptoms after 4 to 8 weeks, your prescriber may increase your dose.
3. Are there factors that can affect how long Myrbetriq takes to work?
Yes, a few things can impact how quickly Myrbetriq works to relieve your bladder symptoms. Below is a summarized list of factors that may affect how long Myrbetriq takes to work — or if it’ll work at all.
It’s also important to note that everyone is different, so your timeline for symptom relief may not be exactly the same as it is for others.
Body weight
The recommended dosage of Myrbetriq suspension for children is based on body weight. So, if your child takes too little, it may take longer for Myrbetriq to start working. Conversely, if they take too much, it can raise the risk of side effects.
Make sure your child’s prescriber knows their current body weight and checks whether their dose needs to be adjusted.
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) vs. Gemtesa (vibegron): These first-choice medications for overactive bladder (OAB) work in a similar manner, but they still have some key differences.
Managing risks: Learn about possible Myrbetriq side effects, how to spot them, and when to reach out to your healthcare team.
The right treatment for you: Find out which over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to treat OAB symptoms.
Bladder blockage
If you have trouble urinating even when your bladder is full, you may have a problem that’s stopping urine from coming out. In this case, Myrbetriq can make your symptoms worse because it can’t fix a physical blockage. Myrbetriq helps your bladder to hold more urine, so if too much urine builds up, it can lead to serious problems, such as an infection or bladder damage.
Tell your healthcare team if you can't urinate. They’ll want to check for a blockage.
Liver or kidney problems
Myrbetriq is broken down (metabolized) by your liver and kidneys. If you have liver or kidney problems, it can raise your risk of side effects. So, you may need to take a lower dose of Myrbetriq. Your prescriber will likely check your dosage more often to make sure the medication is safe and effective for you.
4. What should you expect when starting Myrbetriq?
Myrbetriq is a first-choice treatment option for OAB. It is generally well-tolerated, but as with all medications, side effects are possible.
Common Myrbetriq side effects include:
High blood pressure
Headache
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Upper respiratory tract infections
Stomach pain
Joint pain
Dizziness
Fast heart rate
Fatigue
Rare but serious Myrbetriq side effects include:
Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
Trouble emptying your bladder (urinary retention)
Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm)
Contact your prescriber right away if your symptoms worsen or you notice any bothersome side effects after taking Myrbetriq.
5. Is it better to take Myrbetriq at night or in the morning?
You can take Myrbetriq at any time of day. But for the best results, take it at the same time each day. Be sure to choose a time that you’ll remember to take your medication.
If you experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, or fatigue during the day, it may help to take Myrbetriq at night. These side effects might bother you less while you’re sleeping. But it’s a good idea to contact your prescriber if you are experiencing bothersome side effects at any point, regardless of the time of day.
6. How long do you need to take Myrbetriq?
There isn’t a set amount of time that you need to take Myrbetriq. Since it can take up to 8 weeks to see its full effects, your prescriber will likely check in with you around this time to see if you should continue taking it. If it’s working well, with minimal side effects, you’ll likely take it indefinitely.
You can keep taking Myrbetriq if it’s helping your symptoms and you’re not having any side effects. It’s important to know that if you stop taking Myrbetriq, your symptoms may return. Be sure to follow up with your prescriber to make sure Myrbetriq is still the best treatment option for you.
How to save on Myrbetriq
There are ways to save on Myrbetriq, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. Generic mirabegron’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $117.62 with a free GoodRx coupon. By comparison, brand-name Myrbetriq may cost as little as $380.63 with a free GoodRx coupon.
The bottom line
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is a first-choice treatment option for overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. It also treats neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children ages 3 years and older. It can start working in as little as 4 hours for some people, but it can take about a week to notice any real change in your symptoms. Studies have shown that it can take 4 to 8 weeks for Myrbetriq to reach its full effect. If Myrbetriq doesn’t seem to relieve your symptoms or you’re experiencing side effects, reach out to your healthcare team.
Why trust our experts?
References
Cameron, A. P., et al. (2024). The AUA/SUFU guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder. The Journal of Urology.
Dawood, O., et al. (2023). Mirabegron. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Bladder outlet obstruction.
RemedyRepack. (2025). Myrbetriq- mirabegron tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert].
Urology Care Foundation. (2021). What is neurogenic bladder?
