Vibegron improves the treatment outcomes of patients with overactive bladder

This study investigated the effectiveness of vibegron (RVT-901) in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). Researchers suggested that this is a good and safe therapy to treat these patients. 

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition that is present in 23.3% of Americans. It consists of an uncontrollable need to urinate that negatively affects the quality of life. The standard treatment is of limited effectiveness and is associated with a high level of side effects. Standard treatment includes antimuscarinic drugs such as tolterodine (Detrol). Moreover, this treatment has recently been linked to an increased risk of dementia and other mental conditions. 

Vibegron is a new treatment that has been found to improve the symptoms of OAB with no increase in toxicity. However, the full range of effects and toxicity associated with this treatment are not yet fully understood.

This study included information about 1518 patients with OAB. These patients either received treatment with vibegron (group 1), placebo (a drug with no effect on the body; group 2) or tolterodine (group 3). Patients were followed-up at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12. 90.4% of the participants completed the treatment.

At 12 weeks, patients across the 3 groups of treatment were urinating less. Episodes decreased by 1.8 times/day in group 1, by 1.3 in group 2 and by 1.6 in group 3. Among patients with urinary incontinence (leaking of urine), daily episodes also decreased. In group 1 it decreased by 2 episodes/day, in group 2 by 1.4 and in group 3 by 1.8.

Moreover, patients from group 1 also improved factors such as urgency episodes and urine volume. It also improved urgency by 75% in patients with urinary incontinence.

1.7% of patients in group 1 stopped treatment due to side effects. For the same reason, 1.1% of patients in group 2 stopped treatment and 3.3% in group 3. Hypertension (high blood pressure) was detected in 1.7% of patients from group 1 and 2.

This study concluded that vibegron improves treatment outcomes of patients with OAB without increasing toxicity.

This study included a short follow-up period. Further extended studies are needed. This study was funded by Urovant Sciences, the manufacturer of vibegron.