Mirabegron treatment for overactive bladder symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

This study looked at using Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study concluded that mirabegron is safe and effective for OAB symptoms in patients with PD. 

PD is a progressive disease caused by loss of brain cells that make a substance called dopamine. The loss of these cells can affect functions the nervous system would normally carry out. Urinary function is coordinated by the nervous system. Diseases of the nervous system, such as PD, can, therefore, cause urinary symptoms.

Overactive Bladder (OAB) symptoms include having a sudden, frequent urge to urinate. It may result in urge incontinence (inability to hold on to urine). OAB urination is usually eight or more times a day and two or more times at night. OAB can have a negative impact on quality of life. Medications can be taken to calm the muscles and nerves which cause OAB. Mirabegron is an OAB medication which works to relax the muscles of the bladder. 

50 patients who had PD were assessed for OAB symptoms. These patients were mostly male. Patients completed a questionnaire to see if OAB symptoms had improved 6 weeks after mirabegron treatment. The number of absorbent pads per day, how often the patients urinated during the day and during the night and mirabegron side effects were also assessed. 

After the 6 weeks, OAB symptoms were completely stopped in 11% of patients. 50% of the patients had improved OAB symptoms. 46% of patients had no change in OAB symptoms. 4% of patients had worsened OAB symptoms. The number of urinations during the night and the number of pads the patients used decreased with mirabegron treatment. Some patients (4%) experienced dizziness and sweating. These side effects stopped when the patients stopped mirabegron treatment. 19 months after the study, 46% of the patients were still taking mirabegron. 

This study concluded that mirabegron treatment could improve OAB symptoms in patients with PD. 

The authors note that the questionnaires used were not the standard questionnaires for studies of this kind. They also note that the number of patients in the study was small. These factors may affect the study's results. 

If you are interested in learning more about mirabegron for OAB symptoms, contact your doctor.