2018-11-01T07:01:02
(BPT) – If you’ve ever found yourself mapping out the nearest restrooms, going out of your way for a “pee detour,” or even packing a “just in case” set of clothes for a long road trip, you understand that the call of nature can impact your daily routine and cause you to worry when you may be far from a restroom for extended periods of time. You’re not alone: as many as 1 in 3 Americans age 40 and older have reported symptoms of urgency, frequency or leakage.[1]
Bladder Health Month — recognized annually — marks an important time to evaluate your bladder health status, including any changes to your restroom habits that may be interfering with your daily life. In fact, new practice guidelines issued in 2018 by the Women’s Preventative Services Initiative recommend women be screened each year for urinary incontinence.[2]
“Too often, people are embarrassed to discuss urinary changes with their loved ones or seek help from their doctor, and instead take steps to cope with their symptoms rather than address the underlying condition,” said Dr. David Staskin, a Boston-based urologist at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. “Merely coping with your symptoms may affect your daily activities.”
Overactive bladder — sometimes referred to as “OAB” — occurs when you cannot control your bladder contractions, or when your bladder contractions happen too often. This may cause you to experience symptoms of OAB, which are urgency, frequency and leakage.[3]
According to the American Urological Association, OAB occurs in both men and women, may affect your daily activities due to lack of bladder control and can cause embarrassment, leading some to just learn to cope with the condition.[3]
“Anyone experiencing urinary control problems should talk to their physician. In most cases, these issues can be effectively managed,” added Dr. Staskin, who is also an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. “It’s important to rule out underlying medical issues, as well as design a treatment plan that can be customized to each patient, starting with some habit changes and including medication where appropriate for symptoms with an uncontrolled urge.”
One prescription treatment option is Myrbetriq® (mirabegron), a medication for adults used to treat the overactive bladder symptoms of urgency, frequency and leakage. It works on a different pathway to increase bladder capacity by helping to relax the smooth muscle that surrounds the bladder.
A qualified health care professional can help you evaluate any changes to your bladder health and recommend the appropriate course of treatment to best meet your needs. Many resources are available online to help you keep track of your urinary symptoms and make it easier to facilitate a discussion with your physician.
For more information about overactive bladder and lifestyle tips that can help with managing symptoms, visit www.myrbetriq.com.
Use of Myrbetriq
Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urgency, frequency and leakage.
Important Safety Information
Myrbetriq is not for everyone. Do not take Myrbetriq if you have an allergy to mirabegron or any ingredients in Myrbetriq. Myrbetriq may cause your blood pressure to increase or make your blood pressure worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. It is recommended that your doctor check your blood pressure while you are taking Myrbetriq. Myrbetriq may increase your chances of not being able to empty your bladder. Tell your doctor right away if you have trouble emptying your bladder or you have a weak urine stream.
Myrbetriq may cause allergic reactions that may be serious. If you experience swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, with or without difficulty breathing, stop taking Myrbetriq and tell your doctor right away.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including medications for overactive bladder or other medicines such as thioridazine (Mellaril™ and Mellaril-S™), flecainide (Tambocor®), propafenone (Rythmol®), digoxin (Lanoxin®) or solifenacin succinate (VESIcare®). Myrbetriq may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Myrbetriq works.
Before taking Myrbetriq, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. The most common side effects of Myrbetriq include increased blood pressure, common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis), dry mouth, flu symptoms, urinary tract infection, back pain, dizziness, joint pain, headache, constipation, sinus irritation, and inflammation of the bladder (cystitis).
For further information, please talk to your healthcare professional and see Patient Product Information and complete Prescribing Information for Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) at www.myrbetriq.com.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Myrbetriq® is a registered trademark of Astellas Pharma Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information on overactive bladder, including a symptom quiz and physician locator tool, visit www.myrbetriq.com.
[1] Coyne KS, Sexton CC, Vats V, Thompson C, Kopp ZS, Milsom I. National community prevalence of overactive bladder in the United States stratified by sex and age. Urology 2011;77(5):1081-7.
[2] O’Reilly Nancy, Nelson Heidi, Conry Jeanne, Frost Jennifer, et al. Screening for Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Recommendation From the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative. Annals of Internal Medicine 2018; 169(5):320-329.
[3] Gormley EA, Lightner DJ, Burgio KL, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (non-neurogenic) in adults: AUA/SUFU guideline. American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. 2014.
