Indication: For the treatment of acute postoperative and postpartum nonobstructive (functional) urinary retention and for neurogenic atony of the urinary bladder with retention.
Pharmacology: Bethanechol is a parasympathomimetic (cholinergic) used for the treatment of acute postoperative and postpartum nonobstructive (functional) urinary retention and for neurogenic atony of the urinary bladder with retention. Bethanechol, a cholinergic agent, is a synthetic ester which is structurally and pharmacologically related to acetylcholine. 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. Bethanechol chloride is not destroyed by cholinesterase and its effects are more prolonged than those of acetytcholine.
Mechanism Of Action: Bethanechol acts by selectively stimulating muscarinic receptors in the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing no affect on nicotinic receptors.
Interactions:
DrugBank: Interactions for Bethanechol
Interactions for Bethanechol:
Special care is required if this drug is given to patients receiving ganglion blocking compounds because a
critical fall in blood pressure may occur. Usually, severe abdominal symptoms appear before there is such a fall in
the blood pressure.
Chemical IUPAC Name: 2-carbamoyloxypropyl-trimethyl-ammonium
