Gemtesa (vibegron) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for overactive bladder in adults. As with other drugs, Gemtesa can cause side effects. These include headache, urinary tract infection (UTI), and nausea.

Gemtesa can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if they last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Gemtesa in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Mild side effects can during Gemtesa treatment. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Gemtesa’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people taking Gemtesa have reported include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Gemtesa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Gemtesa may cause serious side effects. However, serious side effects aren’t common in people taking Gemtesa. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Gemtesa’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Gemtesa, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms that people taking Gemtesa have reported include:

  • Urinary retention (difficulty or inability to completely empty your bladder). Symptoms can include:
    • difficulty urinating
    • frequent urge to urinate
    • straining to urinate
    • needing to urinate again right after urinating

Allergic reaction

For some people, Gemtesa can cause an allergic reaction. There were no reports of this side effect in the drug’s studies, but there have been reports since the drug was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gemtesa, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Gemtesa may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Gemtesa cause specific side effects in the elderly?

No, Gemtesa isn’t expected to cause specific side effects in older adults (ages 65 years and older). In the drug’s studies, older and younger adults reported the same side effects.

Gemtesa is expected to be equally safe and effective for adults of any age.

If you have concerns about how your age may affect your treatment with Gemtesa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Gemtesa cause weight loss?

No, you shouldn’t experience weight loss from taking Gemtesa. Weight loss was not a reported side effect in Gemtesa’s clinical trials.

However, it’s possible to experience weight loss from other side effects of Gemtesa. For example, the drug may cause nausea or diarrhea. If you have severe nausea, you may not be able to eat as you typically would. In turn, this can cause weight loss. In addition, severe diarrhea may also lead to weight loss.

If you notice weight loss that’s severe or bothersome while taking Gemtesa, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing this condition. They can also recommend the best ways to manage your weight.

How do side effects of Gemtesa compare with those seen with Myrbetriq?

Gemtesa and Myrbetriq (mirabegron) are medications that doctors can prescribe to treat an overactive bladder (OAB). Some side effects have been reported in both drugs. However, other side effects are only expected to occur with one drug or the other.

For example, the following side effects are common in both Gemtesa and Myrbetriq:

However, certain side effects of Gemtesa, such as hot flashes, did not occur in Myrbetriq’s clinical trials. Other side effects, such as high blood pressure, have been reported with Myrbetriq but not Gemtesa.

If you have OAB, talk with your doctor to find out which treatment option may be best for you. For more information, see this article on Myrbetriq’s side effects.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Gemtesa may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Gemtesa.

Constipation

It’s possible for Gemtesa to cause constipation. However, this wasn’t a commonly reported side effect in the drug’s clinical trials.

Symptoms of constipation may include:

  • straining during bowel movements
  • hard stool
  • less frequent bowel movements

What you can do

If you experience constipation during your treatment with Gemtesa, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Gemtesa is causing this side effect. Sometimes, they may recommend treating constipation with an over-the-counter medication, such as MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350).

Urinary tract infection

Gemtesa may cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) during your treatment. In fact, a UTI was one of the most common side effects reported in Gemtesa’s clinical trials.

If you experience symptoms of a UTI during treatment with Gemtesa, talk with your doctor. These symptoms may include:

What you can do

If you develop symptoms of a UTI, contact your doctor. They can order a urine test to determine whether you have a UTI. If you do develop a UTI while taking Gemtesa, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic to treat it.

Before taking Gemtesa, discuss your health history with your doctor. Gemtesa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver problems
  • kidney problems
  • bladder problems, including difficulty emptying your bladder
  • previous allergic reaction to Gemtesa or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Side effects from Gemtesa are typically mild, but it’s also possible for serious side effects to occur. However, serious side effects are not common.

If you’d like to learn more about Gemtesa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Gemtesa: For details about other aspects of the drug, refer to this Gemtesa overview article.
  • Cost: For more information about prices, see this Gemtesa and cost article.
  • Dosage: For information about the strength and how to take Gemtesa, see this Gemtesa dosage article.
  • Interactions: For more details about the medications and conditions that may affect how Gemtesa works, see this Gemtesa interactions article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.