It is an embarrassing medical problem that disrupts the lives of one in 10 people and can cause people to avoid social gatherings for fear of an accidental ‘leak’.
But millions of Britons suffering from overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) could benefit from a new daily pill approved by UK health authorities.
With OAB, people often suffer from a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate. This can cause them to wet their pants and this can take over their lives.
It can be caused by several health conditions, such as diabetes, physical pressure on the bladder by other organs or masses such as an enlarged prostate, a neurological condition, or an infection.
But now the estimated 8 million Britons living with OAB could have a new lease on life after authorities approved the drug vibegron.
Millions of Britons suffering from overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) could benefit from a new daily pill given the green light by UK health officials
Officials from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have approved the drug vibegron, which is sold in the EU under the brand name Obgemsa and in the US under the brand name Gemtesa, for use in UK patients with overactive bladder syndrome
This daily pill, which costs around £13 each in countries like the US, relaxes the muscles of the bladder, reducing the risk of urine leakage and an emergency visit to the toilet.
Officials from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have approved the drug vibegron, which is sold in the EU under the brand name Obgemsa and in the US under the brand name Gemtesa, for use in UK OAB patients.
They based this approval on evidence from a clinical trial in which 1,500 patients with OAB took the drug for 12 weeks.
One-third of the group received the drug, the other two-thirds received a placebo or nothing.
The results showed that those who received Vibegron had fewer daily urination times and less incontinence.
Vibegron does not work as a medicine, but relieves symptoms. Patients must therefore take it continuously to experience its effects.
However, the MHRA’s decision does not mean that patients can go directly to their GP.
A separate government-funded body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), decides whether medicines are cost-effective enough to be provided through the health service.
NICE is still considering the benefits of vibegron, meaning that patients in the UK will at best only be able to get it privately, after approval from the MHRA.
No pricing has been announced for the UK yet, but a month’s supply will cost around £408 ($530) in the US.
The price of a year’s supply of the drug would then be approximately £4,900.
According to the MHRA, the most common side effects of vibegron include diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, urinary tract infection and an increase in the amount of urine left in the bladder after voluntary urination.
Officials added that, as with all drugs they approve, they will continue to monitor their safety and effectiveness.
OAB is a common condition, as there are other diseases and health problems that can cause it.
Women and older adults are generally at greater risk for OAB, partly because they are more likely to experience the problems that OAB can cause.
People with OAB may also suffer from a ‘learned’ habit that they developed when they had a condition that triggered the condition. This means that they may still suffer from symptoms years later.
Drinking fluids that can irritate the bladder, such as coffee, tea, cola and alcohol, and smoking can worsen OAB symptoms.
People with OAB may become socially isolated and withdrawn due to their fear of ‘leakage’. They may also feel anxious about leaving their home because they have easy access to a toilet.
Even people who overcome this problem may experience sleep problems because they have to urinate frequently during the night.
Patients with OAB are diagnosed by recording how often they urinate. Then, a series of tests are performed to determine the possible underlying cause.
Current NHS treatment options include bladder training to stretch the bladder so it can hold more urine, and medications to relax the organ’s muscles, similar to vibegron.
OAB is a condition in which people often experience sudden and uncontrollable urges to urinate, which can cause them to soil themselves and take over their lives (stock image)
There are several medications available, but side effects can vary from person to person. This means that a patient may need to try several medications before finding the one that works best for them.
In some patients, no medication responds, or they experience intolerable side effects. In that case, an injection of Botox (botulinum toxin) may be prescribed, which paralyzes the muscles of the bladder.
Botox is used cosmetically in a similar way to paralyze facial muscles in an attempt to reduce wrinkles. The mechanism relaxes the muscles of the bladder, allowing it to hold more urine.
According to the NHS, this treatment is effective in 85 percent of patients who undergo the treatment.
However, experts have previously warned that many people with OAB, especially older patients, do not seek help out of shame or mistakenly believe that incontinence is a natural consequence of aging.