BETMIGA ^®

What to do if you missed your BETMIGA ^® dose

About Betmiga

Betmiga is manufactured by Astellas Pharma Ltd and contains mirabegron as its active ingredient. Mirabegron is a beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist used to treat the symptoms of an overactive bladder, such as:

• Urinary urgency (a sudden and urgent need to pee)
• Urinary frequency (needing to pee more often than usual)
• Urgency incontinence (wetting yourself)

Mirabegron relaxes muscles around your bladder, allowing your bladder to hold more liquid, stopping you from needing to pee as often or as urgently.

NowPatient offers Betmiga as a treatment for urinary incontinence only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Betmiga

• For the treatment of urinary incontinence
• Betmiga normally begins to work within a few hours but will take a few weeks to work fully
• Betmiga has some common side effects which include urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• It can be dangerous if you take Betmiga with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
• You will usually take Betmiga long-term to help manage your symptoms

Who is Betmiga suitable for?

Betmiga is suitable for most adults 18 years of age and older.

Who is Betmiga not suitable for?

Betmiga may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Betmiga if you:

• Have had an allergic reaction to the active substance mirabegron
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Have high blood pressure
• Have urinary retention (are not able to pee or completely empty your bladder)
• Have long QT syndrome
• Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding
• How and where to get Betmiga?

Betmiga is available, only with a prescription. It is not available over the counter at a pharmacy.

NowPatient does not allow customers to buy Betmiga directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of urinary incontinence, you can discuss if Betmiga is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.

Dosage and strength for Betmiga for urinary incontinence

Betmiga is available as 25mg and 50mg prolonged-release tablets when used for urinary incontinence.

Information about how to take Betmiga for urinary incontinence

The recommended dose is 50mg, once a day, at the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow mirabegron tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break the tablets. You may be recommended to take 25mg taken once a day if you have liver or kidney problems. Speak to a healthcare professional or read the patient information leaflet supplied for further medical advice.

What happens if you take too much Betmiga?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Betmiga and you experience any of the following side effects:

What are the side effects of Betmiga?

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Headache, dizziness
• Fast heart rate 88ii

Serious side effects include:

• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
• Angioedema, the rapid swelling of the face, lips, larynx, or tongue

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Less common side effects include:

• Bladder infections
• Palpitations
• Indigestion
• Gastritis
• Itching of the vulva or vagina
• Increased blood pressure
• Increase in liver enzymes

Information about taking Betmiga at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Betmiga. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you’re taking:

• Digoxin
• Imipramine
• Clarithromycin
• Ketoconazole or itraconazole
• Ritonavir
• Thioridazine, haloperidol, and chlorpromazine

Can Betmiga taken for urinary incontinence be taken long-term?

Do not stop taking Betmiga if you do not see any effect, as your bladder may need some time to adjust. Betmiga is safe to take long term. You may continue to take Betmiga for as long as your doctor tells you.

Is there a herbal Betmiga?

No. Herbal Betmiga does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Betmiga?

Women can take Betmiga for the treatment of urinary incontinence. However, mirabegron is not recommended during pregnancy. Also, you may continue to take mirabegron when breastfeeding, if your doctor says your baby is healthy.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Betmiga?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Betmiga. Some drinks may however irritate your bladder, making your symptoms worse. These include:

• Coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks
• Fizzy drinks
• Alcohol
• Diet drinks or those with artificial sweeteners
• Citrus, orange, grapefruit or lime juice

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with urinary incontinence?

Modifying your lifestyle may have a positive impact on your urinary incontinence and quality of life. These may include:

• Pelvic floor muscle training to improve your bladder control
• Stay well hydrated to maintain a healthy urinary function
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
• Urinate when you feel the urge to
• When urinating, wait once you have finished for a few moments, and then try again to make sure the bladder is emptied completely

Alternatives to Betmiga

Alternatives for the treatment of urinary incontinence include tolterodine and duloxetine.

Sources

• Common questions about mirabegron – NHS
• Betmiga – European Medicines Agency
• Package leaflet: Information for the patient