Bethanechol injection

What is bethanechol injection?
BETHANECHOL (Urecholine®) stimulates the bladder. It can help people who are having trouble passing urine to empty their bladder. Generic bethanechol injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive bethanechol?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma
• bowel disease
• difficulty passing urine
• heart disease
• over-active thyroid
• Parkinson’s disease
• seizures (convulsions)
• stomach disease, ulcers
• an unusual or allergic reaction to bethanechol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Bethanechol is for injection under the skin. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Bethanechol is effective 5 to 15 minutes after the injection. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with bethanechol?

• atropine
• procainamide
• quinidine
• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
• medicines for mental depression
• other medicines that act in a similar way to bethanechol (such as pilocarpine, neostigmine)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving bethanechol?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing
• lightheadedness or fainting spells
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• flushing
• increased sweating
• increased saliva
• increase in tears
• nausea
• stomach pain, or gas
• urgent need to pass urine

What should I watch for while taking bethanechol?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

You may get dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how bethanechol affects you. To reduce the risk of fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store above -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F) and below 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.