Before you begin taking Gemtesa, it’s important to discuss certain considerations with your doctor. This includes any medical conditions you may have or other medications you take.
Interactions
Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.
Before taking Gemtesa, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Gemtesa.
For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.
Interactions with drugs or supplements
Gemtesa can interact with the heart drug digoxin (Lanoxin). It’s usually safe to take digoxin with Gemtesa, but your doctor may monitor you more closely during treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about this interaction.
Warnings
Gemtesa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Gemtesa is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Gemtesa. Factors to consider include those in the list below.
- Severe kidney problems. In most cases, it should be safe for people with mild or moderate kidney problems (such as mild chronic kidney disease) to take Gemtesa. But if you have a severe kidney problem (such as end-stage kidney disease), your doctor will likely suggest a treatment other than Gemtesa. Gemtesa hasn’t been studied in people with severe kidney problems. To learn more, talk with your doctor.
- Severe liver problems. People with mild or moderate liver problems are usually able to take Gemtesa. But the drug hasn’t been studied in people with severe liver problems. It’s not known if the drug is safe to use if you have severe liver problems. Alcoholic liver disease is an example of a liver problem that can be mild, moderate, or severe. Your doctor can tell you more about how severe your liver condition is. They can also discuss treatments that may be safer for you instead.
- Trouble emptying your bladder or a weak urine stream. Gemtesa can cause urinary retention. If you already have trouble emptying your bladder, using Gemtesa could worsen your condition. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Gemtesa.
- Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Gemtesa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Gemtesa. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.
Gemtesa and alcohol
There’s no known interaction between Gemtesa and alcohol. But alcohol and Gemtesa can cause some of the same side effects, including headache, diarrhea, and nausea. Combining the two could raise your risk of these side effects.
In addition, alcohol may worsen symptoms of overactive bladder. This is because alcohol can cause you to urinate more often, which may irritate your bladder.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) may be safe to drink with your condition and treatment plan.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Gemtesa while pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about whether Gemtesa is right for you.
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