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Myrbetriq (Mirabegron): A beta-3 adrenergic agonist indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder
New molecular entity: FDA approved Mirabegron (Myrbetriq, Astellas Pharma US) for the treatment of OAB with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency.
On June 28, 2012, FDA approved the beta-3 adrenergic agonist mirabegron (Myrbetriq) for the treatment of OAB with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Mirabegron works by relaxing the detrusor smooth muscle during the storage phase of the urinary bladder fill-void cycle.
Efficacy. Mirabegron was evaluated in three, 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials of patients with overactive bladder and complaining of symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Results showed that mirabegron 25 mg and 50 mg statistically significantly reduced the number of times a patient had an incontinence episode (adjusted mean difference from placebo; -0.41 for 50 mg in study 1, -0.34 for 25 mg in study 2, and -0.40 to -0.42 for 25 mg and 50 mg, respectively, in study 3) and the number of times a patient urinated (adjusted mean difference from placebo; -0.60 for 25 mg in study 1, -0.61 for 25 mg in study 2, and -0.47 to -0.42 for 25 mg and 50 mg, respectively, in study 3) during a 24-hour period.
Safety. The most common reported adverse reactions (occurring in >2% of subjects and more often than placebo) during the above-mentioned clinical trials of mirabegron were hypertension, nasopharyngitis, urinary tract infection, and headache. Mirabegron can increase blood pressure, and therefore, periodic blood pressure determinations are recommended (especially in hypertensive patients). Mirabegron is not recommended for use in severe uncontrolled hypertensive patients. A higher risk of urinary retention is present in patients suffering from bladder outlet obstruction or taking antimuscarinic drugs for overactive bladder. Caution should be used in the administration of mirabegron in these patients.
Coalition promotes important acetaminophen dosing reminders
November 18th 2014It may come as a surprise that each year Americans catch approximately 1 billion colds, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% get the flu. This cold and flu season, 7 in 10 patients will reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to treat their coughs, stuffy noses, and sniffles. It’s an important time of the year to remind patients to double check their medicine labels so they don’t double up on medicines containing acetaminophen.
Support consumer access to specialty medications through value-based insurance design
June 30th 2014The driving force behind consumer cost-sharing provisions for specialty medications is the acquisition cost and not clinical value. This appears to be true for almost all public and private health plans, says a new report from researchers at the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID Center) and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).
Management of antipsychotic medication polypharmacy
June 13th 2013Within our healthcare-driven society, the increase in the identification and diagnosis of mental illnesses has led to a proportional increase in the prescribing of psychotropic medications. The prevalence of mental illnesses and subsequent treatment approaches may employ monotherapy as first-line treatment, but in many cases the use of combination of therapy can occur, leading to polypharmacy.1 Polypharmacy can be defined in several ways but it generally recognized as the use of multiple medications by one patient and the most common definition is the concurrent use of five more medications. The presence of polyharmacy has the potential to contribute to non-compliance, drug-drug interactions, medication errors, adverse events, or poor quality of life.
Medical innovation improves outcomes
June 12th 2013I have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the pancreas, a disease that’s long been considered not just incurable, but almost impossible to treat-a recalcitrant disease that some practitioners feel has given oncology a bad name. I was told my life would be measured in weeks.
