pms-bethanechol: what is it, how to use, side effects

how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

bethanechol belongs to a group of medications called parasympathomimetics. it is used to treat problems with urination due to nerve problems in the bladder or weakness in certain bladder muscles. it works by stimulating the bladder muscles that are responsible for causing urination. bethanechol chloride is also used by people who have trouble urinating after surgery or after delivering a baby.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

how should i use this medication?

the usual adult starting dose is 5 mg taken at intervals of 1 hour until the medication starts to work or until you have taken 50 mg. the usual adult dose is 10 to 50 mg taken three or four times daily, at least 6 hours apart. the medication begins to work within 60 to 90 minutes and its effects last for up to 6 hours. depending on side effects and your response to the medication, your doctor will gradually increase the dose of the medication until it starts to work appropriately.

many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

this medication is best taken on an empty stomach to avoid nausea and vomiting. taking this medication at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating helps to minimize upset stomach.

it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

store this medication at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not take bethanechol chloride if you:

• are allergic to bethanechol chloride or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant or breast-feeding
• have a condition in which increased muscular activity of the gastrointestinal tract or urinary bladder that might prove harmful (i.e., following recent urinary bladder surgery, stomach, or intestine resection)
• have a stomach ulcer
• have an overactive thyroid
• have acute inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract
• have asthma
• have bladder neck obstruction
• have coronary artery disease
• have epilepsy
• have had recent urinary bladder surgery
• have parkinson's disease
• have peritonitis
• have possible gastrointestinal or bladder obstruction
• have questionable strength or integrity of the gastrointestinal or bladder wall
• have severe lowering of heart rate or blood pressure
• have severe vagotonia
• have spastic gastrointestinal disturbances
• have vasomotor instability

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• belching
• diarrhea
• feeling faint
• general feeling of being unwell
• headache
• increased watering of mouth or sweating
• nausea or vomiting
• redness or flushing of skin, or feeling of warmth
• stomach discomfort or pain

although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• blurred vision or change in near or distance vision
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• shortness of breath, wheezing, or tightness in chest
• signs of urinary tract infection (e.g., frequent urge to urinate, burning or pain with urination)
• sleeplessness, nervousness, or jitters

stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• seizures
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (i.e., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.

heart disease: bethanechol chloride could worsen the symptoms of certain types of heart disease. if you have heart disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

low blood pressure: for people with low blood pressure, bethanechol chloride could cause a further reduction in blood pressure thereby resulting in a worsening of symptoms. if you have low blood pressure or you are taking medication to reduce blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

stomach problems: bethanechol chloride could worsen stomach ulcers or other stomach problems. if you have stomach ulcers or a history of stomach problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

breast-feeding: it is not known if bethanechol chloride passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

children: the safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

what other medications could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between bethanechol chloride and any of the following:

• atropine
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., atenolol, propranolol, sotalol)
• donepezil
• galantamine
• pyridostigmine
• rivastigmine
• quinidine

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between bethanechol chloride and any of the following:

• atropine
• galantamine
• hyoscine
• hyoscyamine
• oxybutynin
• procainamide
• pyridostigmine
• quinidine

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/pms-bethanechol