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Overactive bladder (OAB) can feel like it controls your day.
It makes sense: When you have OAB, you’re subject to frequent urinary urges. That becomes your life, doesn’t it? You deal with accidents, you suffer through sleepless nights, and going through your social or working life can be much more difficult than it’d otherwise be.
This leaves many OAB patients searching for a medication that really helps.
But, with the wide range of treatment options available, choosing the right medication can be extremely confusing and overwhelming.
Three of the most commonly discussed OAB medications are Gemtesa (vibegron), Myrbetriq (mirabegron), and Oxybutynin. Each works differently, has unique side effects, and may be more suitable for you depending on your health history and daily needs.
That can be a lot to take in! Here, we’ll walk through the need-to-know info, from understanding how each drug works to talking with your doctor about your symptoms.
Wondering Which OAB Med is Right for You? Start By Understanding Your Options
Before you can compare which medication – Gemtesa vs. Myrbetriq vs. Oxybutynin – is right for you, specifically, it might help to have a decent idea of the ways they each work.
How Does Gemtesa Work?
Gemtesa’s a newer option within the OAB world. It works as a beta-3 adrenergic agonist, which means that it focuses on relaxing the bladder muscle. This helps the bladder hold more urine and reduce any sudden urinary urges.
One of the big perks associated with Gemtesa is its generally mild side effects.
As we’ll touch on in a moment, a few other OAB medications come with well-known side effects related to dry mouth and constipation.
How Does Myrbetriq Work?
Myrbetriq is, like Gemtesa, a beta-3 adrenergic agonist. It also works by relaxing the bladder muscle.
Myrbetriq has been on the market for a little longer than Gemtesa, so it has more general recognition within the healthcare world – but, sometimes, taking Myrbetriq can affect a person’s blood pressure. It’s therefore not always recommended for people with underlying blood pressure conditions.
How Does Oxybutynin Work?
Oxybutynin isn’t a beta-3 adrenergic agonist; instead, it’s part of a class of medications called “anticholinergics” – a type of medication that can help control bladder spasms.
Unfortunately, it does so with a bit of a trade-off.
Anticholinergics like Oxybutynin can cause side effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and even cognitive issues in older adults.
On the plus side, it’s often more affordable than newer drugs.
Picking an OAB Medication? Identify What Matters Most to You
Not everyone has the same goals for OAB treatment.
Some patients prioritize symptom relief at any cost, while others want to minimize side effects or avoid interactions with existing medications.
Knowing whether you’re prioritizing comfort, cost, or efficacy can help you and your doctor work through these decisions.
Consider, for example:
Your symptom severity. If the urgency and frequency of your OAB-related bladder spasms are severely disrupting your quality of life, you may be willing to try a newer option like Gemtesa or Myrbetriq for more consistent relief.
Your sensitivity to common OAB medication side effects. If you’ve had trouble with medications that cause dry mouth, constipation, or drowsiness, you may prefer a beta-3 adrenergic agonist over an anticholinergic like Oxybutynin.
Any other health conditions you may have. As we noted, patients who struggle with high blood pressure may need extra health and blood pressure monitoring if they decide to take Myrbetriq, while seniors may be more vulnerable to the cognitive side effects often experienced with Oxybutynin.
The cost and access for your chosen drug. Oxybutynin is usually the cheapest and most widely available of these three OAB medications, since it’s older and is known to have more frustrating side effects.
Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are often more expensive. However, purchasing your Gemtesa or Myrbetriq through an online Canadian drugstore or international pharmacy can help you take advantage of reliably low prices more consistently.
Ready to Purchase Your OAB Medication? Talk to Your Doctor with a Plan
All three of these medications are prescription-only, which means that you’ll need to work with a healthcare professional to access them.
This isn’t a bad thing – not at all!
To select the right medication for you and your unique healthcare goals from Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, and Oxybutynin, your doctor or care team will talk to you about what you’ve been experiencing.
To get the very most out of your healthcare appointment, it may make sense to go in prepared.
Before you meet with your provider, keep a bladder diary for at least 3–5 days.
As you’re creating this log, write down:
- How many times you urinate during the day
- How many times you wake up at night to use the bathroom
- Any leaks or accidents
- What you drank and when
This record helps your doctor understand the severity of your symptoms and whether lifestyle factors, like caffeine or fluid intake, might be worsening them.
From there, you can have a focused discussion on whether Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, or Oxybutynin best fits your needs.
FAQs about Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, and Oxybutynin
Once you’re talking with your doctor, you may realize that there are specific user experience questions or follow-up care considerations that you need to talk through.
If it helps, here are just a few of the top questions we see people asking about these three OAB medications.
How does Oxybutynin stack up for seniors?
Oxybutynin is an effective way to help reduce OAB-related leakage and urinary urgency.
That said, it can be risky for older adults.
Oxybutynin may increase confusion, memory problems, and fall risk in seniors.
Because of this, many providers are shifting toward alternatives such as Gemtesa or Myrbetriq for patients over 65.
How safe is Oxybutynin vs. Myrbetriq or Gemtesa?
Compared to Gemtesa and Myrbetriq, Oxybutynin has more side effects.
These include dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, and drowsiness.
For patients with multiple health conditions or those on many medications, the risks of drug interactions may also be higher.
How much do these OAB medications cost?
The retail price for these medications can be quite high, especially if you live in the United States and you’re not able to purchase these through insurance (or if your insurance benefits aren’t reliable or incredible).
Fortunately, by purchasing your OAB medications through an international and Canadian mail-order pharmacy, you can take advantage of much lower prices.
Depending on what you need, that might look like…
…Paying around $107.00 for a month’s worth of brand-name Gemtesa, instead of the traditional American retail price of around $560.00 (savings of up to 80%);
…Paying around $130.00 for a month’s worth of brand-name Myrbetriq, instead of the traditional American retail price of around $522.00 (savings of up to 75%); or
…Paying around $55.00 for 84 tablets of brand-name Oxybutynin.
Does Myrbetriq work better than Oxybutynin?
This depends largely on what you’re looking for, of course, but it does seem that Myrbetriq reduces urgency and accidents with fewer side effects than Oxybutynin.
Some patients do report it feels “less potent” than older drugs, meaning the trade-off is fewer side effects for a slightly gentler therapeutic effect.
How effective is Gemtesa vs. Myrbetriq?
Precise, specific head-to-head data on Gemtesa vs. Myrbetriq can be hard to find, since Gemtesa is a newer drug, and that’s a niche type of study to engineer.
Both Gemtesa and Myrbetriq show improvements in similar ways over older drugs, like reducing necessary trips to the bathroom and decreasing the number of leakage episodes.
What are Gemtesa’s side effects?
Gemtesa’s most common side effects include headache, diarrhea, and nausea.
Feel Confident Knowing Which OAB Medication is Right for You
Still wondering how to determine whether you should opt for Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, or Oxybutynin?
Access, age, lifestyle, and individual health risks will all shape your decision.
Let’s take a quick look at each of these factors.
Access: How Are You Going to Get Your OAB Medication?
As we noted above, these medications can cost a lot of money – but that’s only one part of the affordability and accessibility puzzle.
Getting a prescription for and obtaining your OAB medication can be a very personal matter. There’s no need to be embarrassed, of course, but it’s natural not to want everyone in the world to know that you are taking this type of medication.
That’s your business, and no one else’s!
This can make the logistical act of buying your medication a little difficult, though, especially if you live in a small town with just one pharmacy.
For those who live in pharmacy deserts or who simply don’t want the hassle of talking to a pharmacy clerk (or anyone) as they’re getting their Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, or Oxybutynin, there is another way.
When you buy your OAB meds through an international online and Canadian internet pharmacy, you can place your order from the comfort and privacy of your living room couch – and then have that medication delivered directly to your front door.
No drive, no standing in line, and no unnecessary social interactions required.
Affordability: Making Your OAB Medication Purchase Work for You
If you’re realizing that the pure cost of your Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, or Oxybutynin is your biggest obstacle, your first place to start is going to be talking with your doctor.
When your doctor prescribes you an OAB medication, or as you’re working with your healthcare team to determine your best-fit medication and dose, you might think about asking your provider the following questions:
- Are there generic versions of OAB meds (like oxybutynin or trospium) that might be effective for me?
- Does my insurance cover Gemtesa or Myrbetriq?
- Are there patient assistance programs or safe international pharmacy options to bring down the price?
Your healthcare team may be able to walk you through lower-priced prescriptions, share any patient assistance programs they know about, or even assist with understanding the confusing insurance process.
That said, one of the more reliable ways to ensure ongoing affordability for your required prescription medications is to find a direct way to purchase them without insurance.
In that case, online and international Canadian pharmacy websites are certainly worth looking into.
Age: Special OAB Medication Considerations for Seniors
Many patients asking “Is Gemtesa safe for seniors?” are, rightly, concerned about cognitive side effects.
Older anticholinergic drugs like oxybutynin may worsen memory issues in older adults.
Newer medications like Gemtesa and Myrbetriq were partly developed to address this concern.
If you or your loved one is considering Gemtesa or another OAB med and is older, here are questions worth bringing to your doctor:
- Could this medication interact with my other prescriptions?
- Am I at higher risk for side effects like confusion, constipation, or blood pressure changes?
- Would starting with a lower dose or a non-drug option make sense?
That leads nicely into our final consideration:
Always Remember! Lifestyle & Non-Drug Options Still Matter
These medications are effective. When taken consistently and as directed by a licensed healthcare professional, they should help reduce symptoms associated with OAB.
Taking one of these medications is not the only tool available to you!
Even if you and your doctor decide on medication, lifestyle changes (particularly when paired with medication) can boost your results.
Bladder training, pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises, and reducing bladder irritants (like caffeine and alcohol) may improve symptoms and reduce reliance on higher doses of medication.
Figured Out Which OAB Medication is Right for You?
Choosing between Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, or oxybutynin is highly personal. Working with your doctor and being transparent about your most sought-after goals and the symptoms you most want to reduce is key to determining which is best for you.
That can be a difficult and involved process.
Fortunately, what comes next doesn’t have to be.
Once you’ve obtained a prescription for Gemtesa, Myrbetriq, Oxybutynin, or another prescription medication, you can purchase that brand-name med directly through our online and international Canadian pharmacy website for reliably affordable prices. If you have any questions about how it works, be sure to talk to our friendly customer service representatives. The entire team at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your healthcare journey.
