Can You Take Gemtesa Without a Prescription? Cost & Savings Explained
speciality medications
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with overactive bladder (OAB), you might have heard of a newer OAB medication making waves in healthcare circles near you.
Gemtesa (vibegron) offers OAB patients an updated way to keep their symptoms at bay – perhaps without the heightened risk of certain bothersome side effects often associated with older OAB drugs.
Of course, these heightened benefits don't come without a heightened price tag.
American patients may pay as much as $550.00 for a one-month supply of Gemtesa without insurance. (And, as we'll touch on in a moment, even with insurance Gemtesa can be quite costly.)
Once OAB patients see Gemtesa's price tag, it doesn't take long before they're asking Google:
Can I take Gemtesa without a prescription?
The short answer is no – Gemtesa is a prescription-only medication.
(And, for what it's worth, simply seeking out Gemtesa without a prescription probably wouldn't actually help you with the heightened cost factor.)
You cannot legally (or safely) obtain Gemtesa without approval from a licensed provider.
That said, you're not wrong to be asking these questions. Gemtesa is expensive, and navigating its cost, your insurance coverage, and Gemtesa's availability can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that while you do need a prescription, there are several safe, legitimate ways to save on Gemtesa once your doctor recommends it.
Let's go over some fundamental information – starting with a key reminder.
Do You Need a Prescription for Gemtesa?
Yes, you need a prescription for Gemtesa.
Gemtesa is not a medication that's available over-the-counter, or OTC.
When you go into a pharmacy to get this medication, it's not going to be freely available on the shelves, in other words. You need to talk to a doctor, first, who will send the order to a pharmacist, who will then pack up your unique dose for you, specifically.
There's a reason for this level of involvement from your healthcare team.
This is for your protection.
Overactive bladder has many potential causes, from urinary tract infections to prostate issues to certain neurological conditions.
Taking Gemtesa without first confirming your diagnosis and making sure that Gemtesa is the right way forward for you could mask a more serious health problem, or even result in unsafe conditions for you.
Further, if OAB is not the only diagnosis you're working with or if you're already taking medications, you'll need to make sure that the OAB drug you decide to take works well with your conditions and other meds.
Your healthcare team will take the time to learn all about your specific scenario and your unique goals, then assist you as you determine the treatment plan you'd like to proceed with.
How Much Does Gemtesa Cost?
Here's where the real patient concern comes in.
As we noted above, buying Gemtesa in the United States can translate to a cost of about $550.00 per month. If you need to take Gemtesa on an ongoing basis, that might result in a bill of about $6,600.00 annually – a figure that just may not be in most people's healthcare budgets.
Fortunately, there may be a better way.
Your options may include:
Relying on insurance. If you have insurance, you may be able to access reduced-cost Gemtesa.
Remember, though, that insurance coverage varies widely, and some insurance plans require patients to try cheaper OAB medications like oxybutynin first. And, of course, it's unfortunately all too easy to lose insurance coverage in America, which may make finding a more reliable method for affording Gemtesa necessary.
Seeking out patient assistance programs. Sometimes, drug manufacturers create patient assistance programs to provide a little bit of financial help for people who require access to newer drugs.
You can ask your doctor's office if they are aware of any such programs, or if they have any coupons to share – generally, this is the most direct way to either join such a program or learn more about eligibility requirements.
Purchasing your meds through an online and international Canadian pharmacy website.
Often, Canadian internet pharmacies and international drugstores can often provide Gemtesa at lower prices, giving patients a safer, more affordable way to access their prescription once approved by their provider.
What Is Gemtesa's Price? U.S. vs. Canada
As it turns out, the price you may pay for Gemtesa can vary wildly depending on where you purchase it.
- In the U.S.: Average monthly retail price is $550.00 without insurance. Some pharmacies may price it higher.
- In Canada or internationally: Here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can purchase that same month's worth of brand-name Gemtesa for about $107.00 for 30 tablets, or savings of up to 80%.
Is Gemtesa Covered by Insurance?
Whether Gemtesa is covered by your insurance, specifically, depends on a lot of unique-to-you (and your insurer!) factors.
These factors may include:
Gemtesa’s inclusion on your insurer’s formulary (or not). Not every plan lists Gemtesa. Even when it is covered, it may require prior or special authorization.
Step therapy rules: Many insurers require patients to try cheaper alternatives (oxybutynin, trospium, tolterodine, or sometimes Myrbetriq) before they’ll approve Gemtesa.
Copay variability: Even with coverage, copays can be unpredictable.
Some patients pay as little as $30/month, while others face several hundred dollars in out-of-pocket costs.
If you’re unsure, check your plan’s online formulary or call the member services number on your insurance card.
Is There a Generic for Gemtesa Yet?
No, there is not yet a generic for Gemtesa.
Gemtesa is a relatively new drug. It was approved for the treatment of overactive bladder in 2020, which means that its manufacturer has the drug under patent protection.
Patent protection provides the company that invests in and creates a drug a window of time in which nobody else can make another drug that is too-too similar.
This helps drug manufacturers recoup the costs of making a new drug.
On the flip side, though, it does create an environment where drug manufacturers don’t have any competition for the first several years after releasing a new drug – which, in turn, means that they don’t have much of an incentive to price the drug competitively.
(This is one of the main reasons Gemtesa is such an expensive OAB medication.)
That said, patients can discuss alternatives with their doctors if Gemtesa’s price is out of reach regardless – or, of course, if you’ve tried Gemtesa and are looking for an option that will simply work better for you!
Gemtesa Alternatives You Can Discuss With Your Doctor
If Gemtesa isn’t affordable or available to you, there are other prescription options your doctor may recommend.
Each has its own pros and cons, which just makes your decision a matter of understanding the risks and benefits, then working with your doctor to understand which is best for you!
Here’s a little information that might help about the most popular Gemtesa alternatives.
Myrbetriq
Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is, like Gemtesa, a beta-3 adrenergic agonist that relaxes a patient’s bladder muscle (so it’s far less likely to spasm and trigger urinary urgency).
It’s effective, like Gemtesa, but can raise blood pressure for some people who take it. If you have hypertension, it may be worth looking into other options.
You can buy Myrbetriq through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $3.60 per pill and the generic for less.
Oxybutynin
Oxybutynin is an older anticholinergic medication. It’s widely available as a generic; oxybutynin is the name of the active ingredient, not a brand name.
Often, it’s cheaper and easier to find than newer medications like Gemtesa and Myrbetriq.
There can be a trade-off for some patients, though.
Some patients, when taking oxybutynin, experience higher rates of side effects like dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and, in older adults, confusion or memory problems.
You can buy Oxybutynin through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $0.65 per pill and the generic is cheaper still.
Other Anticholinergic Options
If you suspect that oxybutynin’s working well for you but want to explore similar options to that medication specifically, you’re in luck!
Other anticholinergics, like trospium, tolterodine, and solifenacin are often available as low-cost generics.
For some, though, they come with the same side effect concerns as oxybutynin.
You can buy trospium, tolterodine, and solifenacin through NorthWestPharmacy.com, too.
A Quick Warning! The Dangers of “No-Prescription” Pharmacies
A quick online search for “Gemtesa without prescription” brings up dozens of shady websites claiming they can ship you the drug with no questions asked.
That might sound too good to be true.
Here’s a quick spoiler for you:
It is.
If a site feels shady, in no way should you be trusting it to send you high-quality, brand-name, real medications that you rely on to improve your health.
And, here’s another pro tip for you:
Any site that is telling you that you can get prescription-only medications without a prescription … is a shady site.
No matter how well-designed it is, or how low the prices are.
Behind any glossy visuals or beguiling sales lurk very real issues, such as:
Counterfeit medications. Pills that you order from shady, prescription-meds-without-prescriptions sites may look real.
They may also contain the wrong active ingredient, too much or too little of the drug you need, or dangerous contaminants mixed in with the actives.
No medical oversight. Without a doctor confirming your diagnosis, you could be treating the wrong condition or missing a more serious problem.
No legal protection! Many of these sites operate outside any regulatory systems.
If something goes wrong, you have little recourse.
Just remember this: If a site claims it can provide Gemtesa without a prescription, that’s a red flag.
Safe, licensed pharmacies always require a valid prescription for this medication.
Here’s How to Spot a Legitimate Online Pharmacy
When you’re looking for ways to buy Gemtesa affordably online, keep an eye out for the following signs that you’re in a trustworthy place to buy safe, authentic medication.
- The pharmacy website you’re considering requires a valid prescription.
- There’s a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.
- The website provides clear contact information (not just a form).
- The checkout process is secure (look for “https” in the URL).
- The pharmacy is internationally recognized and well-reviewed by patients! (Here are a few of NorthWestPharmacy.com’s recent Canadian online pharmacy customer reviews, if you’re interested in checking them out!)
How NorthWestPharmacy.com Helps Patients Save While Feeling Safe
When patients purchase OAB medication (or any medication) through NorthWestPharmacy.com, prescriptions are required – and all prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before fulfillment.
If you have any questions at all about your prescription, you can also reach out and chat with our pharmacists to learn more. Our friendly team of customer service representatives are always available, too, to assist with timely, proactive support.
While you shouldn’t take Gemtesa without a prescription, we also don’t think you should have to pay elevated prices for a medication you need to thrive.
Since we’re an online and international Canadian pharmacy website, we’re often able to source authentic, brand-name and generic medications for much less than you’ll see in American markets – and we pass those savings down to you.
Gemtesa may be new and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be out of reach. By purchasing your prescribed Gemtesa through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can benefit from reliable savings and a positive customer experience. The team at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your healthcare journey.
