Gemtesa (vibegron) and Myrbetriq (mirabegron) are prescription drugs used to treat overactive bladder. Gemtesa comes as an oral tablet, and Myrbetriq comes as both extended-release oral tablets and extended-release oral granules.
This article explains the main ways Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are alike and different. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of these and other treatment options based on your individual diagnosis and medical history.
For more information about these drugs, including details about their uses, see this Gemtesa article and this Myrbetriq article.
A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
Gemtesa
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: vibegron
Myrbetriq
- Available as a generic:
- extended-release oral tablet: yes
- extended-release oral granules: no
- Active ingredient: mirabegron
If your doctor prescribes Myrbetriq and you’re interested in taking the generic version instead, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are both prescribed to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, such as urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence, in adults. Myrbetriq may be taken on its own or prescribed together with solifenacin (Vesicare) for OAB. Myrbetriq has other uses as well.
The following table includes details of the conditions each drug treats.
| Use | Gemtesa | Myrbetriq |
|---|---|---|
| overactive bladder (OAB) | ✓ | ✓ |
| OAB in adult males who take medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) | ✓ | |
| neurogenic detrusor overactivity (a type of neurogenic bladder) in children ages 3 years and older | ✓ |
To learn more about using Gemtesa or Myrbetriq to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Myrbetriq is used to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children ages 3 years and older. Myrbetriq extended-release oral tablets are prescribed for children who weigh at least 35 kilograms (about 77 pounds). Myrbetriq extended-release granules may be prescribed regardless of the child’s weight.
Gemtesa is not used in children.
Here’s an overview of Gemtesa and Myrbetriq dosages and how you would take these drugs for the conditions they treat.
Myrbetriq is also used to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity, but this use isn’t addressed here. To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat, see the Gemtesa dosage article and Myrbetriq dosage article.
Dosage for overactive bladder
The following table highlights the dosages of Gemtesa and Myrbetriq for OAB. The strengths are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Gemtesa for overactive bladder | Myrbetriq for overactive bladder | |
|---|---|---|
| Forms | tablet that you swallow | extended-release tablet that you swallow |
| Strengths | 75 mg | 25 mg and 50 mg |
| Dose | 75 mg | 25 mg to 50 mg |
| Frequency | once daily | once daily |
Gemtesa and Myrbetriq may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious.
For more information about possible side effects, see the Gemtesa side effects article and Myrbetriq side effects article.
Mild side effects
The following table lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Gemtesa and Myrbetriq.
| Gemtesa | Myrbetriq | |
|---|---|---|
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| urinary tract infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| constipation | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
| swelling of the nasal passages and throat | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | |
| joint pain | ✓ | |
| dry mouth | ✓ | ✓ |
| hot flashes | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects, see the Gemtesa prescribing information and Myrbetriq prescribing information.
Serious side effects
The following table includes serious side effects reported with Gemtesa and Myrbetriq.
| Gemtesa | Myrbetriq | |
|---|---|---|
| high blood pressure | ✓ | |
| urinary retention (not being able to empty your bladder) | ✓ | ✓ |
| angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) | ✓ | ✓ |
For some people, Gemtesa can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Gemtesa or Myrbetriq.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Gemtesa and Myrbetriq.
What should I know about Gemtesa vs Oxybutynin?
Gemtesa and oxybutynin are prescription medications used to treat OAB, but they work in different ways. Gemtesa treats OAB symptoms by signaling your bladder muscles to relax. This helps your bladder hold more urine before you feel the urge to urinate. Oxybutynin works by stopping the bladder muscle from spasming, which reduces the urge and frequency of urination.
Can you take Gemtesa and Myrbetriq together?
It depends. There are no known drug interactions between Gemtesa and Myrbetriq. They cause similar side effects, so taking them together may increase your risk of these side effects.
In addition, the American Urological Association includes both drugs in its treatment recommendations for overactive bladder.
It’s important to note that your results from Gemtesa or Myrbetriq may differ from those seen in studies.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Gemtesa or Myrbetriq .
For more details about the cost of these drugs, see the Gemtesa cost article and Myrbetriq cost article.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are both brand-name drugs. The extended-release oral tablet of Myrbetriq also comes in a generic form. You’ll usually pay more for brand-name drugs than generics. If you’re interested in using the generic form of Myrbetriq, talk with your doctor.
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Gemtesa and Myrbetriq may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The prescribing information for these drugs refers to these factors as warnings.
The drugs share some warnings, but also have separate ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned below. Before you start using Gemtesa or Myrbetriq, be sure to talk with your doctor to check whether these warnings apply to you.
Warnings
Before using Gemtesa or Myrbetriq, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- Warnings for Myrbetriq:
- history of high blood pressure
- Warnings for Gemtesa:
- taking medications containing digoxin
- Warnings for both Gemtesa and Myrbetriq:
- previous allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- difficulty emptying your bladder
- kidney or liver problems
To learn more about these drugs, see the Gemtesa overview article and the Myrbetriq overview article.
If you’d like to switch between Gemtesa and Myrbetriq, talk with your doctor. They can discuss whether it’s safe to switch based on your medical history and other medications. If you and your doctor decide to switch treatments, your doctor will advise you on how to do so.
You should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.