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Vibegron: a β3-adrenergic agonist for the treatment of overactive bladder
D M Paton1,2
1Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract:
Overactive bladder (OAB) is an extremely common condition in adults of both sexes. It is characterized by an urgent need to micturate often accompanied by incontinence. The condition may also increase the number of micturitions in a 24-hour period as well as nocturia. The syndrome is not due to a urinary infection or other obvious pathology. In terms of drug treatment of OAB, there are two main approaches. One is the use of anticholinergic drugs that reduce the effect of the parasympathetic nervous system on the bladder. The other involves the use of drugs that are agonists at β3-adrenergic receptors in the bladder. These drugs increase the capacity of the bladder and cause reductions in the number of daily micturitions and nocturia and also importantly reduce the frequency of urinary urgency and urinary urgency incontinence. Vibegron is the second β3-adrenergic agonist to be approved for the treatment of OAB.
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