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