Bethanechol

Indications

Bethanechol is used for: Urinary retention

Adult Dose

Oral Urinary retention Adult: 10-50 mg 3-4 times daily. Some patients may require doses of 50-100 mg PO twice daily

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Intestinal or urinary obstruction, recent MI, pronounced bradycardia or hypotension, recent intestinal anastomosis, hyperthyroidism, peptic ulcer, latent or active bronchial asthma, vasomotor instability, coronary artery disease, epilepsy, parkinsonism. Lactation.

Precautions

Pregnancy. Patient Counselling May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Assess bladder and sphincter adequacy prior to therapy. Lactation: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from bethanechol chloride in nursing infants, 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.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Atropine, quinidine, procainamide, epinephrine and other sympathomimetic amines may antagonise the effect of bethanechol. Critical fall in blood pressure, usually preceded by severe abdominal symptoms, may occur when used w/ ganglionic blocking agents. Additive effects and increased toxicity w/ other cholinergic drugs or anticholinesterase agents (e.g. neostigmine).

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Bethanechol : Frequency Not Defined Abdominal cramps Belching Borborygmi colicky pain Bronchial constriction Diarrhea Flushing Increased gastric motility Headache Hypotension Lacrimation Miosis Nausea Vomiting Salivation Urinary urgency

Mechanism of Action

Stimulates parasympathetic receptors to increase bladder muscle tone, which in turn causes contraction and stimulates micturition