27/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 27/08/2024 17:46
Key takeaways:
Gemtesa (vibegron) is prescription medication that treats overactive bladder in adults. It comes as an oval-shaped 75 mg tablet.
The recommended Gemtesa dosage is 1 tablet by mouth 1 time a day. You can take it with or without food, but make sure to pair each dose with a full glass of water.
There are ways to save on Gemtesa, which is only available as a brand-name product. If you're eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you fill a 90-day supply of Gemtesa for as little as $0.
Your bathroom schedule is one of the most intimate parts of your daily routine. It's unsettling when something interferes with it or turns it into a nuisance. For some people, this includes frequent urination and incontinence.
Several situations can contribute to these symptoms. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), pregnancy, and medication side effects are all possibilities. Overactive bladder (OAB) is another common cause, especially in older adults. Thankfully, many medications are available to treat this condition.
Gemtesa (vibegron) is one OAB medication to consider. It's relatively new, but its convenience and simple dosing are two big selling points.
Patience is key: Discover what pharmacists have to say about how long Gemtesa takes to work.
Comparing overactive bladder treatments: Many medications can treat overactive bladder. The best medication for you will depend on your symptoms, health history, and personal preferences.
Like-for-like options: Gemtesa and Myrbetriq treat overactive bladder in a similar way. But they're not one and the same - here's why.
Here, we'll walk through recommended Gemtesa dosages for adults. Keep in mind that Gemtesa isn't FDA approved for kids or teens.
Gemtesa is an oral tablet that you swallow once daily. It comes in one dose, 75 mg, and it looks like an oval. It's available with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
You can take Gemtesa with or without food. It doesn't make a difference either way. What's more important is to take each dose with a full glass of water. This will help the medication work at its best.
Gemtesa and other oral medications are sometimes hard to swallow, though. If you have trouble swallowing pills, know that the tablets are safe to crush. You can mix the crushed medication with a tablespoon of applesauce and swallow the medication that way. Aim to drink a full glass of water after doing this.
Most people can safely take Gemtesa at its standard, recommended dosage. Older adults typically take the same dose as younger adults, and it's not influenced by the same drug interactions that affect similar OAB medications - such as Myrbetriq (mirabegron).
This isn't always the case, though. You may be asked to avoid Gemtesa in certain situations.
Your liver and kidneys play a role in breaking down Gemtesa and getting rid of it, respectively. If one or both of them aren't working as intended, there's a chance medication levels could go up in your body - potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
This risk is most relevant for people living with severe liver problems or kidney failure. The medication hasn't been studied well in these groups, so we don't know for sure how safe the medication is in these contexts.
To play it safe, your healthcare professional may avoid prescribing Gemtesa if you have severe liver or kidney problems.
Good to know: If you have relatively mild or moderate liver or kidney problems, you shouldn't need any Gemtesa dose adjustments. Normal doses are OK and safe to take.
If you forget to take a dose of Gemtesa occasionally, it shouldn't be a big issue. Just take the dose as soon as it comes to mind - especially if it's still the same day. However, if it's almost time for your time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at your usual time and resume your normal dosing schedule.
That being said, taking Gemtesa consistently helps improve its effectiveness. Once your body has time to respond to the medication (typically 3 months after starting it), it can help reduce urinary urgency and your number of daily bathroom trips. It can also improve the amount of urine you release and reduce accidental leakage.
So, if you find yourself missing Gemtesa doses frequently, reach out to your pharmacist. They can help you figure out a plan to remember to take your daily dose. This may include tips such as setting reminders on your phone, using a pill organizer, or changing where you store your medication.
Not much data is available about what a Gemtesa overdose looks like. So we can't say for sure what will happen. But, in theory, you may experience new or worsening side effects from the medication. This could include symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or urinary retention.
If you think you took too much Gemtesa, reach out to your prescriber right away. They can walk you through any necessary management steps, especially if you're feeling different than normal. If you can't get hold of them, another option is contacting Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222.
You know your body better than anyone else, though. If you develop any side effects that feel severe or life threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest ER without delay.
There are ways to save on Gemtesa, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate how to save money on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for a 90-day supply of Gemtesa using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save over 40% off the average retail price of Gemtesa. Gemtesa's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $481.76 with a free GoodRx discount.
Long-term care savings: If you have a loved one that lives at a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home, another savings program can help. The CMS Extra Help program may lower the cost of Gemtesa to less than $10 per month if they have Medicare.
Gemtesa (vibegron) is a prescription medication that treats overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. The recommended Gemtesa dosage is one tablet (75 mg) by mouth once daily, with or without food. There aren't any standard dose adjustments, but you may be asked to avoid Gemtesa if you have severe liver or kidney problems. Your healthcare professional can help you figure out if Gemtesa is the right OAB medication for you.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Vibegron.
National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Staskin, D., et al. (2020). International Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo and active controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vibegron in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder: EMPOWUR.
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. (2024). Gemtesa- vibegron tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
UpToDate, Inc. (2024). Child-Pugh classification of severity of cirrhosis.
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