Myrbetriq vs. Oxybutynin for Overactive Bladder: 5 Differences to Consider
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) and oxybutynin are popular medications for overactive bladder. They work by relaxing certain muscles. Compare side effects and more differences here.
mirabegron
Used for Overactive Bladder
Used for Overactive Bladder
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.
What is Myrbetriq (mirabegron)?
What is Myrbetriq (mirabegron) used for?
- Overactive bladder (OAB) in adults
- Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children ages 3 years and older
How Myrbetriq (mirabegron) works
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is a beta-3 receptor agonist. It attaches to certain proteins in your bladder called beta-2 receptors. This causes your bladder muscles to relax. It helps your bladder hold more urine so that you can go to the bathroom less often.
When does Myrbetriq (mirabegron) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Myrbetriq, Myrbetriq Granules |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Beta-3 adrenergic agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Myrbetriq (mirabegron) essentials
Side effects of Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
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
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%)
Less Common Side Effects
Adults:
- Joint pain
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Fast heart rate
- Fatigue
Children:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Stomach flu
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Angioedema: swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Very high blood pressure: headache, chest pain, vision changes, dizziness, trouble breathing, confusion
When do Myrbetriq (mirabegron) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Higher blood pressure
Risk of common cold
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Myrbetriq (mirabegron) side effects
The following Myrbetriq (mirabegron) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
headache
lower back or side pain
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
Rare
Blindness
decrease in vision
lower abdominal or stomach pain
pain in the groin or genitals
tearing or eyes
vomiting
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
chills
confusion
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Back pain
body aches or pain
difficulty having a bowel movement
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with moving
ear congestion
general feeling of discomfort or illness
loss of voice
muscle ache or stiffness
shivering
stomach pain
stuffy or runny nose
sweating
Rare
Belching
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
full or bloated feeling
hives or welts, skin rash
indigestion
itching or pain of the vagina or genital area
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
pressure in the stomach
redness of the skin
stomach discomfort, upset, or tenderness
swelling of the lips
thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
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
Pharmacist tips for Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
- Take Myrbetriq (mirabegron) once a day. Try taking it around the same time every day. This helps make it part of your everyday routine so you remember to take the medication.
- For adults: You can take Myrbetriq (mirabegron) with or without food.
- For children: Children should take Myrbetriq (mirabegron) with food. This can help lower the chance of side effects like a fast heartbeat.
- Swallow Myrbetriq (mirabegron) tablets whole with water. Don't crush, break, or chew them. This medication releases from the tablet and into the body slowly. If you break the tablet, too much medication could get released at once. This might cause more side effects.
- If you miss a dose of Myrbetriq (mirabegron), take it as soon as you remember – unless your next dose is fewer than 12 hours away. If that's the case, skip the missed dose and take your next usual dose at the usual time. Don't take two doses at once because it can raise your risk of side effects.
- Myrbetriq (mirabegron) can make your blood pressure go up. Your prescriber might ask you to check your blood pressure at home while taking this medication. Tell your care team if your blood pressure is often higher than usual.
- You might have constipation while taking Myrbetriq (mirabegron). If this happens, be sure to drink plenty of water and add fiber to your diet to help. Also get regular exercise to help keep things in your gut moving. If these tips don't work, talk to your care team about other options, like an over-the-counter stool softener or laxative.
- Give your care team and pharmacist a full list of all the medications you take or plan to take. Include your prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and supplements. Myrbetriq (mirabegron) can interact with other medications, like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and warfarin (Coumadin). It can raise your risk of side effects. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take together.
Tips for Myrbetriq granules for solution
- The pharmacy staff will prepare the liquid medication for you when you pick it up. Keep the liquid at room temperature and use it within 28 days. After 28 days, throw the medication away, even if there's some left inside the bottle.
- Shake the bottle well before measuring your dose. Shake it for 1 minute, then set it down. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for the foam on top to go away. If the granules aren't mixed in well, shake the bottle again for 1 minute and wait for the foam to settle.
- Use the dosing device the pharmacy gave you to measure the liquid. Don't use kitchen spoons – they aren't accurate and could make you take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure how to measure the medication.
- After measuring out the dose, take the medication within 1 hour with food.
- Clean the dosing device after each time. Wash with mild household soap, rinse under running water, and let it air dry.
- If you aren't going to take the medication for 2 or more days, be sure to still shake the bottle for 1 minute every day. This helps make sure the granules stay mixed into the liquid well.
More on Myrbetriq (mirabegron) tips
Risks and warnings for Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) 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.
High blood pressure
- Risk factors: History of high blood pressure | Taking the higher dose of Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) can raise your blood pressure. This medication isn't recommended for people with severe high blood pressure that isn't under control.
Ask your prescriber how often to check your blood pressure while taking Myrbetriq (mirabegron). This helps make sure it doesn't get too high. Let your prescriber know if your blood pressure stays higher than usual.
Most of the time, high blood pressure doesn't cause symptoms. But if it gets extremely high, you might have a very bad headache, chest pain, blurry vision, or feel confused. Get medical help right away if this happens.
Risk of having trouble fully emptying the bladder in certain people
- Risk factors: Blockage in the bladder | Use of certain overactive bladder medications
If you take other medications for overactive bladder, talk to your prescriber before taking Myrbetriq (mirabegron). Also talk to them if you have a blockage in your bladder. Taking Myrbetriq (mirabegron) in these cases can make it hard for you to fully empty your bladder.
Tell your healthcare team if you can't urinate, even when your bladder feels full. Holding in urine in your bladder too long can lead to problems like bladder damage or infections.
Unusual swelling of the face, lips, or throat (angioedema)
It's rare, but some people who took Myrbetriq (mirabegron) had a reaction called angioedema. This causes swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Swelling in the tongue or throat can be dangerous since it can make it hard to breathe.
This reaction can happen after you take Myrbetriq (mirabegron) for the first time or even after taking it for a while. It can happen right after taking the medication or a few hours later.
Get medical help right away if your throat swells or you have trouble breathing after you take Myrbetriq (mirabegron).
Interactions with other medications
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) can affect how other medications work. For example, it can raise the levels of digoxin (Lanoxin) or warfarin (Coumadin) in your body. This might raise your risk of side effects.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take or plan to take. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your care team can check for drug interactions. They can adjust your medications if needed to keep you safe.
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 50mg of Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is $117.62 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 53.16% off the average retail price of $251.09. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25mg | 30 tablets | $115.62 | $3.85 |
| 50mg | 30 tablets | $117.62 | $3.92 |
Typical dosage for Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
This medication comes as extended-release tablets and granules for suspension. These forms can't be used in place of each other.
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- Adults and children 3 years and older weighing 77 lbs or more: The typical starting dose is 25 mg by mouth once a day. After 1 to 2 months, your prescriber can raise your dose to 50 mg once a day if needed.
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Myrbetriq granules for suspension
- The pharmacy will prepare the solution for you when you pick it up. Each mL of the prepared solution contains 8 mg of mirabegron.
- Children 3 years and older weighing 77 lbs or more: The typical starting dose is 6 mL by mouth once a day. After 1 to 2 months, the prescriber might raise the dose to 10 mL once a day.
- Children 3 years and older weighing 48 lbs to less than 77 lbs: The typical starting dose is 4 mL by mouth once a day. The maximum dose is 8 mL once a day.
- Children 3 years and older weighing 24 lbs to less than 48 lbs: The typical starting dose is 3 mL by mouth once a day. The maximum dose is 6 mL once a day.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney or liver problems.
Interactions between Myrbetriq (mirabegron) and other drugs
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Myrbetriq (mirabegron). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Eliglustat
- Thioridazine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Dihydrocodeine
- Propafenone
- Sirolimus
- Tramadol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Myrbetriq (mirabegron) cost?
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What are alternatives to Myrbetriq (mirabegron)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Myrbetriq (mirabegron). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Myrbetriq (mirabegron) images
