From the Guidelines
Gemtesa (vibegron) is a recommended treatment option for overactive bladder (OAB) in adults, with a standard dosage of 75 mg taken once daily, due to its efficacy in reducing symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency, as supported by recent studies 1.
Mechanism of Action and Benefits
Gemtesa works as a selective beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist, relaxing the bladder muscle during the filling stage, increasing bladder capacity, and reducing OAB symptoms. This mechanism of action is associated with fewer side effects compared to older antimuscarinic medications for OAB, such as dry mouth and constipation 1.
Side Effects and Interactions
Common side effects of Gemtesa may include headache, nasal congestion, diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infections. Patients should inform their healthcare provider about all medications they're taking before starting Gemtesa, as certain drug interactions may occur 1.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications like scheduled voiding, fluid management, and pelvic floor exercises can enhance the effectiveness of this medication. The American College of Physicians recommends first-line treatment with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in women with stress UI, and bladder training in women with urgency UI 1.
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical guidelines suggest that pharmacologic treatment should be considered in women with urgency UI if bladder training was unsuccessful, and the choice of pharmacologic agents should be based on tolerability, adverse effect profile, ease of use, and cost of medication 1.
Treatment Outcomes
Studies have shown that combination therapy with solifenacin and mirabegron can be effective in reducing symptoms of OAB, but may be associated with increased adverse events, such as dry mouth, constipation, and dyspepsia 1. However, Gemtesa (vibegron) has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of OAB with a favorable safety profile, making it a recommended treatment option.
From the FDA Drug Label
GEMTESA is a prescription medicine used to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder in adults, and in adult males taking medicine for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents urgency: the need to urinate right away frequency: urinating often
The drug GEMTESA is used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, including urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency, in adults and adult males taking medicine for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) 2.
From the Research
Gemtesa
- Gemtesa is a medication used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, including urgency, frequency, and nocturia 3.
- The exact mechanism of Gemtesa is not specified in the provided studies, but it is likely related to the treatment of OAB symptoms, which can be caused by disturbances in nerves, smooth muscle, and urothelium 4.
- Studies have shown that medications like vibegron and mirabegron, which are also used to treat OAB, can be effective in reducing symptoms of urgency and frequency 3.
- The diagnosis of OAB is typically based on symptoms, including urgency, which is defined as a sudden, compelling desire to pass urine that is difficult to defer 5.
- Understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for OAB and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) is critical to advancing treatment options, and research has implicated several regions of the brain, including the anterior cingulate gyrus, insula, and frontal cortices, in the experience of urgency 6.
Overactive Bladder Symptoms
- OAB symptoms can be similar to those seen in other conditions, such as urinary tract infection, benign prostatic enlargement, and bladder cancer, and these potential diagnoses should be ruled out before making a diagnosis of OAB 5.
- The current definition of OAB is "urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia in the absence of an underlying metabolic or pathologic condition" 5.
- Urgency is a key symptom of OAB, and its effective treatment is a principal aim in OAB management 7.
Treatment Options
- Vibegron and mirabegron are two medications that have been shown to be effective in treating OAB symptoms, including urgency and frequency 3.
- The choice of treatment for OAB depends on the individual patient's symptoms and medical history, and may involve a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications, and other therapies 3.