Myrbetriq, made simple.
Myrbetriq is a once a day pill for an overactive bladder. It works in a different way than the older bladder medicines, which is why many people find it easier to tolerate. This guide explains how it works, how to take it safely, and the one thing to keep an eye on. A Mississippi pharmacist who fills Myrbetriq every day wrote it for you.
This guide is here to teach you. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Always do what your doctor tells you, and ask a pharmacist before you change how you take any medicine.
Print this guide for your fridgeWhat Myrbetriq is and why your doctor gave it to you
Myrbetriq is a once a day pill for an overactive bladder. Its other name is mirabegron. It is the same medicine.
An overactive bladder is when you feel a sudden, strong need to urinate, you go often, or you have leaks you cannot control. Myrbetriq helps with all three.
If you tried an older bladder medicine before and did not like how it made you feel, Myrbetriq is worth knowing about, because it works in a completely different way.
The simple version: Myrbetriq calms an overactive bladder so it can hold more before it sends the urgent signal. It does this without the dry mouth and constipation that the older bladder medicines often cause.
How Myrbetriq works
Think of your bladder like a balloon. With an overactive bladder, the balloon squeezes too soon and too hard, so you feel an urgent need to go even when it is not very full.
Myrbetriq relaxes the muscle in the wall of that balloon during the time your bladder is filling.
When the bladder wall is more relaxed, the bladder can hold more before it tells you it is time to go. That means fewer sudden urges, fewer trips, and fewer leaks. The older bladder medicines work by blocking a nerve signal, which is what causes their dry mouth and constipation. Myrbetriq works a different way, so most people avoid those effects.
Your dose
Myrbetriq is a once a day pill. You can take it with or without food. Your doctor picks your dose and your pharmacist checks it. Many people start at a lower dose, and the dose can be raised later if needed.
One thing matters with this pill: swallow it whole, with water. Do not cut it, crush it, or chew it. Myrbetriq is a slow release tablet, and breaking it changes how the medicine is released into your body. If the pill is hard for you to swallow, tell your pharmacist, and we will help you find a workable answer.
Myrbetriq can take a little while to show its full effect. Many people see the benefit by about 8 weeks. Your doctor and your pharmacist decide your dose. This page will not tell you what dose to take.
Timing, and what to do if you miss a dose
Take Myrbetriq once a day, at about the same time each day. Pick a time that is easy to remember and stay with it. It can be taken with or without food.
If you miss a dose:
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember that day.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed. Just take the next one.
- Never take two doses at once to catch up.
- If you are not sure what to do, call your pharmacist.
Side effects, what is normal and what is not
Common, and usually mild.
- A mild headache.
- A common cold, or a stuffy nose.
- Some constipation, though usually less than with the older bladder medicines.
- A urinary tract infection.
Call your doctor if you see:
- Blood pressure that is running higher than usual. Myrbetriq can raise blood pressure a little, so this is the main thing to keep an eye on.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat, or a pounding heartbeat.
- Trouble emptying your bladder, or feeling like you cannot urinate fully.
- Bladder or pelvic pain that is not from a urinary infection.
- Confusion, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or, rarely, seeing things that are not there. These have been reported by some patients, though it is not proven the medicine caused them. If you notice any, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
- A rash or hives.
Go to the emergency room right away if:
- You have swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing. This can be a serious allergic reaction, and it can happen at any time, not only after the first dose.
- You cannot urinate at all, and your bladder feels full and painful.
- You have signs of a dangerously high blood pressure, such as a severe headache with vision changes.
What to be careful with
Myrbetriq can change the level of some other medicines in your body, which means a few combinations need a closer look.
The ones to know by name are certain heart and blood pressure medicines, especially metoprolol, certain heart rhythm medicines, the heart medicine digoxin, and some older antidepressants. Myrbetriq can raise the level of these in your blood. That does not always mean you cannot take them together. It means your doctor should know, and may adjust a dose or check on you more closely.
If you also take the blood thinner warfarin, your doctor may want to check your blood test a little more closely when Myrbetriq is started or changed.
The simple rule: before you start or stop any medicine, a prescription, an over the counter pill, or a supplement, tell your pharmacist you take Myrbetriq. Every single time. At Fairview, we check every new prescription against your full list.
What it costs
The cost is different for every person, because every insurance plan is different.
Here is the honest way to find your price. If you pay cash, call Fairview and we will give you a price for your situation. If you have private insurance, there may be a coupon or a savings program from the maker of the drug that helps lower your cost, and we will check if one is available for you. The best step is to let a pharmacist look at your plan. We do this for every patient.
Do not let cost make you skip doses. Call us first. There is almost always something we can do.
There is also a generic version of many medicines. The generic is the same medicine. Ask your pharmacist if a generic is a good fit for you.
What should be checked
Myrbetriq does not need a special blood test of its own, but a few things should be watched while you take it.
Your doctor should check, now and then:
- Your blood pressure. This is the most important thing to monitor on Myrbetriq.
- Whether your bladder symptoms are actually improving, usually judged by about 8 weeks.
- Whether you are able to empty your bladder fully.
- Your heart rate, if you notice a fast or pounding heartbeat.
Your pharmacist should, now and then:
- Check your other medicines, especially heart, blood pressure, and rhythm medicines.
- Remind you to swallow the tablet whole, never crushed or chewed.
- Check that your blood pressure is not in a range where Myrbetriq should be avoided.
- Ask whether the medicine is helping your symptoms.
At Fairview, we keep an eye on our Myrbetriq patients. If a refill is late, we call you. If a new medicine is added that Myrbetriq could interact with, we call your doctor before there is a problem.
Special situations
If you have high blood pressure.
Myrbetriq can raise blood pressure a little. For most people the change is small, but it is the main reason to keep an eye on your numbers. If your blood pressure is very high and not yet under control, Myrbetriq is usually not the right choice until it is managed. Tell your doctor about your blood pressure history.
If you have trouble emptying your bladder.
If you have a blockage to bladder flow, such as an enlarged prostate, or you already have trouble emptying your bladder, Myrbetriq should be used with care, because it can make it harder to fully empty. Tell your doctor about any history of difficulty urinating.
If you take an older bladder medicine too.
Sometimes Myrbetriq is used together with one of the older bladder medicines for extra benefit. That combination is allowed, but it raises the chance of trouble emptying the bladder, so it needs a closer watch. Your doctor will decide if it is right for you.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Myrbetriq is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding, tell your doctor so your care can be planned safely.
Older adults.
Myrbetriq can be used by older adults with no change in dose. The main things to watch are the same as for everyone: blood pressure, and any new medicine that could interact. A simple home blood pressure check now and then is a good habit.
How Fairview helps Myrbetriq patients
When you fill Myrbetriq at Fairview, here is what you get. This is normal care for us, not something extra.
At your first fill:
- We check all your medicines, especially heart and blood pressure medicines.
- We remind you to swallow the tablet whole.
- We tell you to keep an eye on your blood pressure.
- We let you know it can take about 8 weeks to see the full benefit.
At every refill:
- We check your file for any new medicines.
- We check that you are refilling on time.
- We ask whether the medicine is helping.
On our own, without being asked:
- If a refill is late, we call you.
- If we see a medicine that interacts, we call your doctor.
- If there is important news about Myrbetriq, we tell you.
- We check your cost at every fill to make sure you are paying the best price for your plan.
Questions people ask about Myrbetriq
Most older bladder medicines work by blocking a nerve signal, which is what causes their dry mouth and constipation. Myrbetriq works a different way, by relaxing the bladder muscle so it can hold more. Because of that, most people avoid the dry mouth and constipation.
Have a question about your Myrbetriq? Ask a pharmacist who knows it well.
An overactive bladder is common, and it is nothing to feel awkward about. Myrbetriq helps many people get back to a normal day. If something made you wonder, ask us. And if you want a pharmacy that takes the time to explain your medicine and check it against everything else you take, Fairview is here. Moving your prescription to us takes one phone call.