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Key takeaways
Myrbetriq’s generic, mirabegron, was FDA-approved in 2024 for adults with overactive bladder and for children over 3 with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).
Both Myrbetriq and mirabegron have the same active ingredient and effectiveness, though inactive ingredients may differ and occasionally cause sensitivity in some patients.
Most insurance plans cover Myrbetriq or its generic for approved conditions, though prior authorization or step therapy may be required.
An overactive bladder (OAB) can really throw a wrench in your daily routine, whether it means urgency, incontinence, or running to the restroom every hour. But Myrbetriq can help. By relaxing the smooth muscle around the bladder, this drug allows it to hold more urine, relieving OAB symptoms. A generic version, mirabegron extended-release, became available in the U.S. in late 2022.
Myrbetriq generic availability |
|
|---|---|
| Generic name | Mirabegron |
| FDA approval date of the generic version | September 2022 |
| Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.? | Yes |
Is there a generic for Myrbetriq?
Yes. The generic version of Myrbetriq is mirabegron extended-release. Lupin Pharmaceuticals received the first FDA approval for the generic in September 2022, after Astellas’s key patent expired that March.
What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Myrbetriq?
Approved generic drugs are identical to their brand-name counterparts, and that’s because the FDA demands it. To receive official approval, the generic must have the same active ingredient, dose, forms, and administration routes as the reference drug. So Myrbetriq and mirabegron will work the same way in the body.
But that doesn’t mean that they’re the same products. Generic drugs may contain different inactive ingredients, such as coatings, stabilizers, fillers, binders, flavorings, and diluents. These ingredients shouldn’t influence the medication’s efficacy, but “some patients are sensitive to inactive ingredients, dyes, fillers, and coatings that differ between the brand and generic,” says Dr. David Shusterman, MD, board-certified urologist and founder of Modern Urologist. “If a patient reports a reaction or reduced tolerance on the generic, I’ll consider prescribing the brand. But for the vast majority, the generic is a safe and effective option.”
Anyone taking generic mirabegron might wonder: Is it really as effective as the brand-name version? In most cases, generic and brand-name drugs have comparable effectiveness. In fact, in a review of 43 different comparison studies, only 8% found any differences in outcomes. Another study on generic bioequivalence found only about a 4% difference in absorption.
“In my own practice, I haven’t seen any meaningful difference in how patients respond,” says Dr. Jason B. Carter, urologist and medical advisor at Aeroflow Urology. “Both versions reliably improve urgency, frequency, and incontinence in people struggling with overactive bladder.”
While mirabegron and Myrbetriq are interchangeable for most people, it’s still important to consult a doctor or healthcare provider about whether the generic version will work well for you.
How much does generic Myrbetriq cost?
Generic and brand-name medications might have very similar compositions, but their prices can be miles apart. Some studies suggest that generic drugs can be up to 80–85% less than brand-name ones, but that’s not always the case with Mybetriq and mirabegron.
Brand vs. generic Myrbetriq prices |
||
|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Myrbetriq | Myrbetriq generic (mirabegron) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $625 for 30, 50 mg 24-hour extended-release tablets | $681 per 30, 50 mg 24-hour extended-release tablets |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $452 for 30, 50 mg 24-hour extended-release tablets at Kroger | $189 for 30, 50 mg 24-hour extended-release tablets at CVS |
| Free coupons | Myrbetriq coupons | Mirabegron coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Mar. 24, 2026. 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.
Is Myrbetriq covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans will cover Myrbetriq to a certain degree. But that’s assuming you’re using it for an approved medical condition, like overactive bladder or neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Some insurance plans might refuse coverage if it’s prescribed for an off-label condition like erectile dysfunction (ED) or interstitial cystitis.
Ultimately, it depends on your specific insurance provider and plan. Check your formulary to see how the plan classifies Myrbetriq and whether it’s covered.
How do you get Myrbetriq covered by insurance?
Some insurance or Medicare Part D plans may require prior authorization before approving coverage. This could be as simple as the prescriber submitting additional documentation, or it might involve step therapy, which means trying other drugs first before moving to Myrbetriq.
Insurance companies typically prefer generic drugs to brand-name ones, though, since they’re usually cheaper. So healthcare plans might also have more comprehensive coverage or lower copays for generic mirabegron than brand-name Myrbetriq.
If you are uninsured or your plan does not cover the medication, a SingleCare discount may help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for generic mirabegron.
Save up to 80% on Myrbetriq with SingleCare Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Generic alternatives to Myrbetriq
“Currently, mirabegron is the only drug in its class (a beta-3 adrenergic agonist), so there’s no true generic alternative outside of mirabegron itself,” Dr. Shusterman says. “The other medications for overactive bladder, like oxybutynin or solifenacin, are anticholinergics, which work differently and often come with more side effects, especially in older patients.”
Dr. Carter adds, “While I’ll sometimes turn to the older generics when I need to, mirabegron, whether brand or generic, is usually my first choice. It gives patients relief without as many of the quality-of-life issues we’ve historically seen with the older drugs.” That said, here are some of the most popular generic alternatives to Myrbetriq:
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan): An anticholinergic medication that also helps relax muscles around the bladder and reduce bladder contractions.
- Tolterodine (Detrol): An antimuscarinic drug that works by relaxing the muscles responsible for bladder contractions, reducing the urge to urinate.
- Solifenacin (Vesicare): Commonly sold under the brand name Vesicare, solifenacin succinate also relaxes the muscles around the bladder.
- Fesoterodine (Toviaz): Another antimuscarinic drug, fesoterodine is sold under the brand name Toviaz and works similarly to tolterodine.
Effective alternatives will also depend on the condition for which Myrbetriq is prescribed. The options above are for overactive bladder, but other alternatives might be appropriate for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children. Sometimes, a healthcare provider might also prescribe Myrbetriq for an off-label use like erectile dysfunction or interstitial cystitis, which have totally different alternatives.
In some states, a pharmacist might be able to dispense an equivalent generic drug even if the healthcare provider wrote a brand name on the prescription. However, the laws about this vary by state, and sometimes a healthcare provider might include a “dispense as written” statement on the prescription, which disallows substitutions of any kind.
Always consult a healthcare professional if you’re considering switching medications. They can help determine which option might be best for your particular health condition, history, other medications, and preferences.
Expert takeaway
One thing patients don’t always realize is that most insurance plans require trying the generic first anyway. For patients with a strong need for long-term treatment, starting with generic mirabegron can help avoid delays in coverage.
- Myrbetriq full prescribing information, DailyMed (2024)
- FDA expands use of Myrbetriq to include rare pediatric indication, Global Genes (2021)
- Generic drugs: Questions & answers, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2021)
- Bioequivalence and interchangeability of generic medications, Merck Manual Consumer Version (2025)
- Generic versus brand name: The other drug war, Canadian Family Physician (2014)
- Comparing generic and innovator drugs: A review of 12 years of bioequivalence data from the United States Food and Drug Administration, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy (2009)
- How to get generic drugs and low-cost prescriptions, Federal Trade Commission (2023)
- Examining prior authorization in health insurance, KFF (2022)
- Can a pharmacist change my prescription?, MedCentral (2024)