Bethanechol
Information about Bethanechol
Bethanechol uses
Bethanechol is used in the treatment of urinary retention. It helps to treat urinary retention (holding urine in the bladder) following an operation or after giving birth.
How bethanechol works
Bethanechol is a muscarinic agonist. It works by making the contraction of urinary bladder muscle sufficiently strong to initiate urination and empty the bladder.
Common side effects of bethanechol
Nausea, Vomiting, Sweating, Abdominal discomfort, Salivation, Flushing of skin, Tachycardia, Bronchoconstriction (constriction of air passages), Lacrimation (flow of tears), Asthma attack, Constriction of pupil, Seizure
Available Medicine for Bethanechol
Expert advice for Bethanechol
- Bethanechol helps treat urinary retention (holding urine in the bladder) following an operation or after giving birth.
- Take it on an empty stomach, half an hour before food, to reduce the risk of feeling sick.
- It may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- Do not take it if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions for Bethanechol
Bethanechol
Q. Is Bethanechol an anticholinergic?
No, Bethanechol is not an anticholinergic, on the contrary it is a cholinergic medicine. It is used to relieve difficulties in urinating caused by surgery, post pregnancy, medicines, or other factors.
Q. When should I take Bethanechol?
It should preferably be taken on an empty stomach. This is because taking it soon after eating may cause nausea and vomiting. The treatment varies from one individual to other depending on the condition being treated. Hence, it should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Q. How long does it take for Bethanechol to start working?
Bethanechol starts acting quickly, within 60 to 90 minutes of taking it. The effect of the medicine lasts for 6 hours and therefore a gap of at least 6 hours should be maintained between two doses.