Bethanechol

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

What is Bethanechol?[edit | edit source]

  • Bethanechol is a cholinergic agent, is a synthetic ester which is structurally and pharmacologically related to acetylcholine used to relieve difficulties in urinating caused by surgery, drugs, or other factors.
Bethanechol stucture
Bethanechol



What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]


How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]

  • Bethanechol is a parasympathomimetic choline carbamate that selectively stimulates muscarinic receptors without any effect on nicotinic receptors.
  • Bethanechol chloride acts principally by producing the effects of stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
  • It increases the tone of the detrusor urinae muscle, usually producing a contraction sufficiently strong to initiate micturition and empty the bladder.
  • It stimulates gastric motility, increases gastric tone and often restores impaired rhythmic peristalsis.
  • Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system releases acetylcholine at the nerve endings.
  • Bethanechol chloride is not destroyed by cholinesterase and its effects are more prolonged than those of acetylcholine.


Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]

This medicine cannot be used in patients with:


What drug interactions can this medicine cause?[edit | edit source]

  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Be sure to mention any of the following:


Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]

  • Yes, is was FDA approved.


How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]

Recommended dosage:

  • Dosage must be individualized, depending on the type and severity of the condition to be treated.
  • The usual adult oral dose ranges from 10 to 50 mg three or four times a day.
  • The minimum effective dose is determined by giving 5 to 10 mg initially, and repeating the same amount at hourly intervals until satisfactory response occurs, or until a maximum of 50 mg has been given.
  • The effects of the drug sometimes appear within 30 minutes, and are usually maximal within 60 to 90 minutes.
  • The drug effects persist for about one hour.

Administration:

  • Bethanechol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Bethanechol usually is taken two to four times a day.
  • Preferably give the drug when the stomach is empty.
  • If taken soon after eating, nausea and vomiting may occur.
  • Bethanechol usually is taken at evenly spaced intervals during the day.


What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

  • As tablet for oral administration contains 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg or 50 mg bethanechol chloride, USP.

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

  • Duvoid
  • Myotonachol
  • Urecholine


What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]

The most common side effects of this medicine include:


What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]

  • In urinary retention, if the sphincter fails to relax as bethanechol chloride contracts the bladder, urine may be forced up the ureter into the kidney pelvis. If there is bacteriuria, this may cause reflux infection.
  • Bethanechol chloride tablets should preferably be taken one hour before or two hours after meals to avoid nausea or vomiting. Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting may occur, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position.
  • It is not known whether this drug is secreted in human milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
  • You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
  • Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.


What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of overdose may include:

  • abdominal discomfort, salivation, flushing of the skin (“hot feeling”), sweating, nausea, and vomiting

Management of overdosage:

  • Atropine Sulfate is a specific antidote for Bethanechol overdose.
  • The recommended dose for adults is 0.6 mg. Repeat doses can be given every two hours, according to clinical response.
  • The recommended dosage in infants and children up to 12 years of age is 0.01 mg/kg (to a maximum single dose of 0.4 mg) repeated every two hours as needed until the desired effect is obtained or adverse effects of atropine preclude further usage.


Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]

  • Pregnancy Category C.
  • It is also not known whether bethanechol chloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
  • Bethanechol chloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.


Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]

  • Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.


What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Active Ingredients:

  • BETHANECHOL CHLORIDE

Inactive Ingredients:

  • ANHYDROUS LACTOSE
  • SILICON DIOXIDE
  • MAGNESIUM STEARATE
  • CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE
  • SODIUM STARCH GLYCOLATE TYPE A POTATO


Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Distributed by:


What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]

  • Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).
  • Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required).


Bethanechol Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

WikiMD.png


WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Deepika vegiraju