BETHANECHOL (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
Description
Bethanechol (be-THAN-e-kole) is taken to treat certain disorders of the urinary tractor bladder. It helps to cause urination and emptying of the bladder. Bethanecholmay also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Bethanechol is available only with your doctor's prescription in the followingdosage forms:
Oral- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For bethanechol, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to bethanechol. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether bethanechol passes intothe breast milk.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of bethanechol in children with use in other age groups, this medicineis not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanit does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of bethanechol in the elderly with use in other age groups,it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older peoplethan it does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of bethanechol. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Asthma or
- Epilepsy or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Intestinal blockage or
- Low blood pressure or
- Parkinson's disease or
- Recent bladder or intestinal surgery or
- Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems or
- Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination?Bethanechol maymake these conditions worse
- High blood pressure?Bethanechol may cause a rapid fall in bloodpressure
- Overactive thyroid?Bethanechol may further increase the chanceof heart problems
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before or 2 hoursafter meals) to lessen the possibility of nausea and vomiting, unless otherwisedirected by your doctor.
Take this medicine only as directed. Do nottake more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longertime than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Dosing?The dose of bethanechol will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of bethanechol. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- To empty the bladder:
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- Adults?25 to 50 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day.
- Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 0.6 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.27 mg per pound)of body weight a day. This dose is divided into smaller doses and taken threeor four times a day.
- For injection dosage form:
- Adults?5 mg injected under the skin three or four times a day.
- Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 0.2 mg per kg (0.09 mg per pound) of bodyweight a day. This dose is divided into smaller doses, which are injectedunder the skin three or four times a day.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine and you rememberwithin an hour or so of the missed dose, take it right away. However, if youdo not remember until 2 or more hours after, skip the missed dose and go backto your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, nearthe kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause themedicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Dizziness,lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from alying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:
Rare?more common with the injection
Shortness of breath, wheezing,or tightness in chest
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:
Less common or rare?more common with the injection
Belching; blurred vision or change in near or distance vision; diarrhea; dizziness or lightheadedness; feeling faint; frequent urge to urinate; headache; increased wateringof mouth or sweating; nausea or vomiting; redness or flushing of skin or feeling of warmth; seizures; sleeplessness, nervousness,or jitters; stomach discomfort or pain
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approvedfor marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also usefulfor other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in productlabeling, bethanechol is used in certain patients with the following medicalconditions:
- Certain stomach problems
- Gastroesophageal reflux (caused by acid in the stomach washing backup into the esophagus)
- Megacolon (an abnormally large or dilated colon)
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relatingto proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
Revised: 06/27/1994
