All About Gemtesa

What are Gemtesa’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Gemtesa may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Gemtesa may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that the side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Gemtesa. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Gemtesa can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Gemtesa’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Gemtesa that have been reported include:

• headache
• swelling in your throat or nose
• diarrhea
• nausea
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• dry mouth
• constipation
• hot flashes
• producing more urine than usual
• urinary tract infection
• bronchitis
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Gemtesa can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Gemtesa, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Gemtesa that have been reported include:

• urinary retention (not being able to empty your bladder)
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Gemtesa. Although allergic reactions weren’t reported in Gemtesa’s studies, these reactions have been reported since the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Gemtesa. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What is Gemtesa’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Gemtesa that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength (75 mg)

Gemtesa comes as tablets that you swallow. They’re available in one strength: 75 milligrams (mg).

Recommended dosage

You’ll take Gemtesa once daily.

Questions about Gemtesa’s dosage

Below are some common questions about Gemtesa’s dosage.

• What if I miss a dose of Gemtesa? If you miss a dose of Gemtesa, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. You should not take more than one dose of Gemtesa at a time. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
• Will I need to use Gemtesa long term? Yes. If you and your doctor agree that Gemtesa is safe and working well for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
• How long does Gemtesa take to work? Gemtesa begins working after you take your first dose. But it may take a few weeks before your symptoms begin to ease. In studies, people whose symptoms improved with Gemtesa treatment had decreased overactive bladder symptoms within 2 to 12 weeks.

What is Gemtesa’s price?

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Gemtesa Simple Savings Program may also be available for Gemtesa.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Coupons for Gemtesa

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Gemtesa when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Save on your Gemtesa prescription with Optum Perks

Save on Gemtesa without insurance.

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Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.

Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.

Pricing source:Perks.optum.com

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What are some frequently asked questions about Gemtesa?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Gemtesa.

How does Gemtesa compare with Myrbetriq and other alternatives?

If you’re considering treatment with Gemtesa, you may wonder how it compares with alternative treatments for overactive bladder (OAB), such as Myrbetriq or oxybutynin.

The table below provides some key details about Gemtesa and a few alternatives. To learn more about treatment options for OAB, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body over time after you take it.
† Oxybutynin is also available in other forms. To learn more, talk with your pharmacist or doctor.

Does Gemtesa cause weight gain?

No, Gemtesa isn’t known to cause weight gain. Weight changes weren’t reported in the drug’s studies.

But it’s important to note that having overweight or obesity can worsen OAB symptoms, which the drug is prescribed to treat.

If you’re concerned about your weight while taking Gemtesa, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways to manage your weight as part of your OAB treatment plan.

What is Gemtesa used for?

Gemtesa is used in adults who have the following urinary symptoms caused by overactive bladder (OAB):

• urge incontinence (a sudden urge to urinate followed by losing control of your bladder)
• urgency (needing to urinate right away)
• frequency (needing to urinate often)

OAB is a condition that causes a sudden urge to urinate, and it may cause incontinence (not being able to control urination). These symptoms are often unpredictable, which can affect your daily life.

The exact cause of OAB is unknown. But the symptoms are caused by your bladder muscles contracting involuntarily. This sends signals to your brain that you need to urinate, even if your bladder isn’t full. It can also cause your bladder to release urine suddenly.

Gemtesa works to treat symptoms of OAB by sending signals that relax your bladder muscles. This allows your bladder to fill to capacity before sending your brain signals that you need to urinate.

How is Gemtesa taken?

Your doctor will explain how you should take Gemtesa. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Gemtesa

Gemtesa comes as tablets that you swallow. You should take the tablets with a full glass of water.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

• have large print
• use braille
• contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Gemtesa in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Questions about taking Gemtesa

Below are some common questions about taking Gemtesa.

• Can Gemtesa be chewed, crushed, or split? Gemtesa tablets may be crushed and mixed with 1 tablespoon of applesauce. This mixture should be eaten right away with a full glass of water.
• Should I take Gemtesa with food? You can take Gemtesa doses with or without food. But you should take each tablet with a full glass of water.
• Is there a best time of day to take Gemtesa? No, there’s no best time of day to take Gemtesa. But you should take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Gemtesa and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

• Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
  • How will Gemtesa affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
• Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
• If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

What should be considered before taking Gemtesa?

Before you begin taking Gemtesa, it’s important to discuss certain considerations with your doctor. This includes any medical conditions you may have or other medications you take.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Gemtesa, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Gemtesa.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Gemtesa can interact with the heart drug digoxin (Lanoxin). It’s usually safe to take digoxin with Gemtesa, but your doctor may monitor you more closely during treatment.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about this interaction.

Warnings

Gemtesa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Gemtesa is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Gemtesa. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

• Severe kidney problems. In most cases, it should be safe for people with mild or moderate kidney problems (such as mild chronic kidney disease) to take Gemtesa. But if you have a severe kidney problem, such as end-stage kidney disease, your doctor will likely suggest a treatment other than Gemtesa. Gemtesa hasn’t been studied in people with severe kidney problems. To learn more, talk with your doctor.
• Severe liver problems. People with mild or moderate liver problems are usually able to take Gemtesa. But the drug hasn’t been studied in people with severe liver problems. It’s not known if the drug is safe to take if you have severe liver problems. Alcohol-related liver disease is an example of a liver problem that can be mild, moderate, or severe. Your doctor can tell you more about how severe your liver condition is. They can also discuss treatments that may be safer for you instead.
• Trouble emptying your bladder or a weak urine stream. Gemtesa can cause urinary retention. If you already have difficulty emptying your bladder, using Gemtesa could worsen your condition. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Gemtesa.
• Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Gemtesa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Gemtesa. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Gemtesa and alcohol

There’s no known interaction between Gemtesa and alcohol. But alcohol and Gemtesa can cause some of the same side effects, including headache, diarrhea, and nausea. Combining the two could raise your risk of these side effects.

In addition, alcohol may worsen symptoms of overactive bladder. This is because alcohol can cause you to urinate more often, which may irritate your bladder.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, may be safe to drink with your condition and treatment plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Gemtesa while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor about whether Gemtesa is right for you.

What should be done in case of overdose?

Do not take more Gemtesa than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Gemtesa

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Gemtesa. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.