NEW DRUG TO TREAT OVERACTIVE BLADDER

The FDA has approved a new drug called Myrbetriq to treat overactive bladder Myrbetriq is an extended-release pill taken once a day. Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder muscle cannot be controlled, so it contracts at inappropriate times. Symptoms of overactive bladder include: The need to urinate too often (urinary frequency). Inability to put off urination (urinary urgency). Involuntary urine leakage (urge incontinence). In a news release, the FDA says Myrbetriq's safety and effectiveness were demonstrated in 3 studies that compared the drug to a placebo. The studies involved more than 4,000 patients. Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is the first of a new class of drugs. It works by stimulating receptors in the bladder's detrusor muscle. This causes the bladder to relax, which reduces urinary urgency symptoms. In the company-sponsored trials, conducted in the U.S. and Europe, people who took the drug had significantly fewer symptoms of urgency, urinary frequency, and urge incontinence than people who took placebo pills. Side effects that include: dry mouth constipation Memory loss. People with overactive bladder first try making changes in behavior. These changes can include limiting or eliminating bladder irritants such as: coffee tea alcohol soda.