Gemtesa (vibegron) is a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). Gemtesa can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Gemtesa is used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in adults with the following symptoms:

Gemtesa comes as a tablet you swallow. It contains the active ingredient vibegron. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Gemtesa can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Gemtesa treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects were reported in studies of Gemtesa. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Gemtesa unless your doctor recommends it.

Gemtesa may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Serious side effects have been reported with Gemtesa. These include:

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Gemtesa. Although this side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug, it was reported after the drug was approved for use.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Gemtesa, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Gemtesa’s side effects.

Can Gemtesa cause weight gain or weight loss?

It’s not likely. Weight-related changes such as weight gain or weight loss weren’t reported in studies of Gemtesa. But you may experience changes in weight from other causes such as other medications you’re taking, or from certain side effects of Gemtesa.

For example, if you have diarrhea (a side effect of Gemtesa) that’s severe or ongoing, you may have some weight loss. If you have serious diarrhea, call your doctor. They can discuss possible causes with you and recommend ways to manage this side effect.

If you have concerns about weight changes with Gemtesa, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the likelihood of this happening to you.

Does Gemtesa cause memory loss?

No, memory loss wasn’t a side effect reported in studies of Gemtesa. If you’re having problems with your memory, talk with your doctor. There may be other causes, such as other health conditions you may have, or other medications you take. Your doctor can determine the cause of new or worsening memory problems and suggest ways to help manage it.

If I stop taking Gemtesa will I experience certain side effects?

No, this isn’t likely. Long-term side effects (those that continue after you stop a medication) weren’t reported in studies of Gemtesa. But it’s important to take Gemtesa exactly as your doctor prescribes. Stopping the drug could cause your overactive bladder symptoms to return.

If you’re having bothersome side effects from Gemtesa, call your doctor. They can discuss your concerns with you and give you options to consider, which may include switching you to a different treatment.

Learn more about some of the side effects Gemtesa may cause.

Headache

Taking Gemtesa can cause headaches. This was one of the most common side effects of the drug reported by people taking it in studies.

What might help

If you have mild headaches with Gemtesa, your doctor may suggest ways to ease your symptoms. These may include:

If your headache is severe or ongoing, call your doctor right away. They can discuss possible causes and treatment options with you. In some cases, they may have you stop taking Gemtesa and switch you to a different medication.

Urinary tract infection

Gemtesa can increase your risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). This was a common but mild side effect of Gemtesa reported in studies. Symptoms include:

Symptoms of a UTI may be similar to those of an overactive bladder (OAB). But UTI symptoms caused by bacteria in your bladder can worsen if you don’t get treatment. In some cases, untreated UTI may be a serious condition requiring immediate treatment.

What might help

If you have symptoms of a UTI while taking Gemtesa, call your doctor. They’ll likely test your urine for bacteria. If they confirm you have a UTI, they’ll likely treat it with an antibiotic.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of frequent UTIs. They may suggest an OAB treatment option that’s better suited for you.

Urinary retention

Gemtesa treatment may cause urinary retention. This is a condition in which you have trouble emptying your bladder. This is a rare but serious side effect of Gemtesa reported in the drug’s studies.

You may have an increased risk of developing urinary retention if you:

Symptoms of urinary retention include:

What might help

Your doctor will monitor you closely if you have a bladder neck obstruction and take Gemtesa. They’ll also follow up regularly if you take a muscarinic receptor blocker along with Gemtesa for OAB.

Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of urinary retention. If you develop this condition, your doctor will likely stop your Gemtesa treatment and recommend a safer medication for your OAB symptoms.

Nausea

Gemtesa can cause nausea. This was a common but mild side effect of the drug reported in studies. Keep in mind that nausea may be caused by other medications you’re taking. In some cases, nausea may also be a symptom of another side effect of Gemtesa, such as headache.

What might help

Nausea is a mild side effect that’s usually temporary and should ease as you continue taking Gemtesa. For mild nausea, your doctor may offer suggestions to manage it, such as avoiding nausea triggers (strong odors, spicy foods, or heavy meals). But if your nausea symptoms are severe or ongoing, they may have you stop Gemtesa and suggest other treatment options for your OAB.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Gemtesa can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Although this side effect wasn’t reported in studies, allergic reactions have been reported since the drug was approved for use. But it’s not clear how often this happened or if Gemtesa was the cause.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Gemtesa, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gemtesa, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Gemtesa treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Gemtesa affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Gemtesa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. (This is known as a drug-condition interaction.) Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Gemtesa. Factors to consider include those described below.

Urinary retention. Taking Gemtesa could cause urinary retention. This is when your bladder doesn’t empty completely. Your risk of urinary retention is higher if you have a bladder neck obstruction. It’s also higher if you’re taking certain other drugs such as Vesicare (solifenacin) to treat overactive bladder.

Tell your doctor about any bladder-related problems you have. They’ll decide if Gemtesa is safe for you to take. If they prescribe this drug for you, they’ll monitor you closely for symptoms of urinary retention.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Gemtesa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Severe liver problems. Gemtesa is not recommended for people with severe liver problems. It’s not known if the drug is safe in this population. But if you have mild to moderate liver disease, the drug is probably safe to take. Tell your doctor if you have any liver-related conditions. They’ll likely order liver function tests to help determine if this treatment is safe for you.

Severe kidney disease. Gemtesa is likely safe to take if you have mild to moderate kidney problems. But it’s not known if the drug is safe in those with severe kidney problems such as end-stage kidney disease. Tell your doctor about any kidney problems you have. They’ll likely order kidney function tests to help determine if Gemtesa is safe for you.

Alcohol and Gemtesa

Gemtesa isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But drinking alcohol during Gemtesa treatment may worsen certain symptoms of your condition. This may include an increased urge to urinate which can cause bladder irritation. If you drink, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume during treatment with Gemtesa.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Gemtesa

The effects of taking Gemtesa during pregnancy are not known. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about possible risks of taking Gemtesa during this time.

It’s not known if Gemtesa passes into breast milk or how the drug may affect a child who’s breastfed. If you plan to breastfeed your child, ask your doctor about the risks of Gemtesa while breastfeeding.

Gemtesa is used to manage symptoms of overactive bladder. The drug can cause side effects which range from mild to serious. While most side effects of the drug are mild, Gemtesa can cause serious side effects in rare cases.

If you have questions about side effects Gemtesa can cause, talk with your doctor. A few examples to help get you started include:

  • Is my risk of side effects from Gemtesa higher if I’m also taking other drugs for my condition?
  • How do the side effects of Gemtesa compare with Myrbetriq?
  • How long do side effects of Gemtesa usually last?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.