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Key takeaways
Gemtesa is a brand-name medication that is FDA approved to treat overactive bladder symptoms, such as urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.
While Gemtesa is an effective medication for OAB, it isn’t right for everyone. It shouldn’t be taken if you’ve had an allergic reaction to vibegron. Healthcare providers may not prescribe Gemtesa if you have a bladder outlet obstruction.
Fortunately, many Gemtesa alternatives are available. These include antimuscarinic medicines and Myrbetriq (mirabegron).
Gemtesa is a brand-name medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat overactive bladder symptoms, including urinary urgency and frequency. Also known by its generic name, vibegron, Gemtesa is a beta-3 adrenergic agonist that works by activating specific receptors in the bladder to help relax the bladder muscle. While Gemtesa is an effective medication, it isn’t right for everyone. For example, a doctor may not prescribe Gemtesa for a patient with a bladder obstruction due to the risk of urinary retention. It also only comes as a brand-name medication, so it may be expensive if it’s not covered by insurance or Medicare plans. Lastly, Gemtesa can cause adverse effects, such as urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and respiratory infections. For these reasons, people may seek alternatives to Gemtesa.
What can I take instead of Gemtesa?
Fortunately, there are alternative treatment options available if Gemtesa isn’t right for you. These include other beta-3 adrenergic agonists and other classes of drugs, such as antimuscarinics and injectable botulinum toxin. Each type of drug has its specific uses, side effect profiles, and dosages.
Compare Gemtesa alternatives |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Gemtesa (vibegron) | $690 per 30, 75 mg tablets | $440 per 30, 75 mg tablets of brand-name Gemtesa | See latest prices |
| Myrbetriq (mirabegron extended-release)) | $630 per 30, 50 mg tablets | $210 per 30, 50 mg tablets of generic mirabegron extended release | See latest prices |
| Oxybutynin extended-release (ER) | $100 per 30, 10 mg tablets | $12 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic oxybutynin ER | See latest prices |
| Vesicare (solifenacin) | $480 per 30, 10 mg tablets | $17 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic solifenacin | See latest prices |
| Detrol (tolterodine) | $620 per 60, 2 mg tablets | $19 per 60, 2 mg tablets of generic tolterodine | See latest prices |
| Tolterodine ER | $280 per 30, 4 mg tablets | $24 per 30, 4 mg tablets of generic tolterodine ER | See latest prices |
| Darifenacin ER | $330 per 30, 15 mg tablets | $28 per 30, 15 mg tablets of generic darifenacin ER | See latest prices |
| Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate ER) | $470 per 30, 8 mg tablets | $35 per 30, 8 mg tablets of generic fesoterodine fumarate ER | See latest prices |
| Trospium | $200 per 60, 20 mg tablets | $24 per 60, 20 mg tablets of generic trospium | See latest prices |
| Botox (botulinum toxin) | $850 per 1, 100 unit solution | $670 per 1, 100 unit solution of brand-name Botox | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
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Top 5 Gemtesa alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to Gemtesa.
1. Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are similar medications. They are both FDA approved to treat overactive bladder, however, Myrbetriq may also be prescribed for neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in certain children. Both drugs belong to the beta-3 adrenergic agonist drug class and work by relaxing the bladder muscle. The side effect profiles of Gemtesa and Myrbetriq are similar, but Myrbetriq is known to potentially increase blood pressure. Therefore, Myrbetriq may not be appropriate for those with severe uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).
2. Oxybutynin
Oxybutynin is another commonly used prescription drug for OAB. It is available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations, and the dosage depends on which form is prescribed. Oxybutynin is an antimuscarinic type of anticholinergic medication, so it works differently than Gemtesa. Therefore, if Gemtesa isn’t effective, a healthcare provider may consider switching to oxybutynin. Side effects of oxybutynin include constipation, dry mouth, drowsiness, and confusion. These side effects may be particularly risky for older adults.
3. Vesicare
Vesicare is FDA approved to treat overactive bladder. It is available as a tablet and a suspension. Like Gemtesa, Vesicare is taken once daily. It belongs to the anticholinergic drug class and works by relaxing the bladder muscle. However, possible side effects include constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, and dry eyes.
4. Detrol (tolterodine)
Tolterodine—also sold as its brand name counterpart Detrol—is a generic medication used to treat overactive bladder. It belongs to the anticholinergic drug class and helps relax the bladder muscle to prevent excessive bladder contractions. Because it is available as a generic, tolterodine may be a suitable alternative if you’re looking for a more affordable drug.
5. Darifenacin
Enablex is the former brand-name version of darifenacin. It’s used to treat OAB symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence. While it can be less costly than Gemtesa, Enablex can cause bothersome side effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, upset stomach, and dry eyes.
Natural alternatives to Gemtesa
Aside from medications, symptoms of OAB may be managed with behavioral changes and nonpharmacologic treatment. Lifestyle changes include limiting food and drinks that irritate the bladder, including citrus, spicy foods, and caffeine. In some cases, healthcare providers may also recommend reducing fluid intake or bladder retraining exercises. According to the National Association for Continence, nonpharmacologic interventions include pelvic floor muscle exercises, nerve stimulation, and injection therapy.
How to switch to a Gemtesa alternative
If you’re looking to switch from Gemtesa to an alternative, talk to a healthcare provider. A different beta agonist, namely Myrbetriq, or an anticholinergic, like Vesicare, may be a suitable option. Each medication has risks that may depend on your medical conditions and current medications. If you and your healthcare provider decide it’s safe for you to switch to another drug, be sure to follow their directions exactly as prescribed. In most cases, Gemtesa does not need to be stopped slowly, and it’s safe to stop it abruptly.
- Myrbetriq prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Vesicare tablets prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2022)
- Tolterodine, Medline Plus (2019)
- Darifenacin, Medline Plus (2016)
- What is Overactive Bladder (OAB)? National Association for Continence (2025)