Microplastics and Misinformation: What Science Really Says
November 12, 2025
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Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
bethanechol
Class :
Cholinergic Agonist, Genitourinary Agent
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
bethanechol
Class :
Cholinergic Agonist, Genitourinary Agent
Dosage Forms & Strengths Â
Tablet Â
5mg Â
10mg Â
25mg Â
50mg Â
10 - 50
mg
Orally
once a day
or divided 3-4 times a day
Take 2 hours after meals or 1 hour before meals
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Off-label: 25 mg orally once a day or divided 3-4 times a day
Take 2 hours after meals or 1 hour before meals
10 - 50
mg
Orally 
thrice a day
50-100 mg orally twice a day may be needed for certain patients
Take 1 hour before the meals or 2 hours later the meal
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)Â
25mg orally four times a day. Take 1 hour before the meals or 2 hours later the meal
Dosage Forms & Strengths Â
Tablet Â
5mg Â
10mg Â
25mg Â
50mg Â
Off-label: 0.3-0.6 mg/kg orally once a day or divided 3-4 times a day
Take 2 hours after meals or 1 hour before meals
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Off-label: 0.3-0.6 mg/kg orally once a day or divided 3-4 times a day
Take 2 hours after meals or 1 hour before meals
0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg/day orally every 6 to 8 hours
Take 1 hour before the meals or 2 hours later the meal
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)Â
0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg/day orally every 6 to 8 hours
Take 1 hour before the meals or 2 hours later the meal
Refer adult dosingÂ
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may increase the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Choline esters
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Choline esters
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Choline esters
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Choline esters
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
When bethanechol is used together with paraoxon, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of adverse events
When bethanechol is used together with pegvisomant, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of adverse events
using bethanechol along with decamethonium may raise the possibility of negative side effects
When bethanechol is used together with profenamine, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of adverse events
bethanechol: it may decrease the therapeutic efficacy of indobufen
bethanechol: it may decrease the therapeutic efficacy of isepamicin
it may increase the risk of adverse effects of cholinergic agonists
it may enhance the risk of adverse effects of Cholinergic Agonists
it may enhance the risk of adverse effects of Cholinergic Agonists
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic Agonists
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic Agonists
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic Agonists
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic Agonists
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic Agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
beta-Blockers may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of cholinergic agonists
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic agonists
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic agonists
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic agonists
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic agonists
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic agonists
may decrease the toxic effect of beta blockers
may increase the adverse effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the adverse effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the adverse effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the adverse effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the adverse effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the adverse effect of cholinergic agonists
may decrease the anticholinergic effect of cholinergic agonists
may increase the toxic effect of anti-cholinergic agents
may increase the risk of adverse effect
may increase the risk of adverse effect
may increase the risk of adverse effect
may increase the risk of adverse effect
may increase the toxic effect of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
may have an increasingly adverse effects when combined with bethanechol
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
could increase the adverse or toxic effect
may have an increasingly adverse effect when combined with cholinergic agonists
the anticholinergic activities of cimetropium may be reduced by bethanechol
Actions and Spectrum:Â
Frequency not definedÂ
BelchingÂ
Bronchial constrictionÂ
FlushingÂ
HeadacheÂ
LacrimationÂ
NauseaÂ
SalivationÂ
Abdominal crampsÂ
Borborygmi colicky painÂ
DiarrheaÂ
Increased gastric motilityÂ
HypotensionÂ
MiosisÂ
VomitingÂ
Urinary urgencyÂ
Contraindications/caution:Â
Contraindications:Â
Caution:Â
Pregnancy consideration: CÂ
Lactation: Excretion of the drug in human breast milk is unknownÂ
Pregnancy category:Â
Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.  Â
Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.Â
Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.   Â
Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   Â
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.   Â
Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this categoryÂ
Pharmacology:Â
bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist that acts primarily on muscarinic receptors. When administered, bethanechol binds to and activates muscarinic receptors in various smooth muscle tissues, including the bladder and gastrointestinal tract. This leads to increased contractions and enhanced motility in these organsÂ
Pharmacodynamics:Â
The pharmacodynamics of bethanechol is based on its ability to activate muscarinic receptors in various smooth muscle tissues. When bethanechol binds to muscarinic receptors, it causes the following effects:Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â
AbsorptionÂ
bethanechol is well-absorbed after oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations reached within 60-90 minutes. However, its bioavailability is low, ranging from 5-25%, due to extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver.Â
DistributionÂ
bethanechol has a low volume of distribution, indicating that it is primarily confined to the extracellular fluid. It does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.Â
MetabolismÂ
Acetylcholinesterase primarily metabolizes bethanechol in the liver, hydrolyzing it to its inactive metabolite, choline. It has a relatively short half-life of approximately 1.5 hours.Â
Elimination and ExcretionÂ
bethanechol and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the urine, with approximately 50-60% of a dose eliminated within 24 hours. It is not known to undergo significant enterohepatic circulation.Â
Administration:Â
Oral administration:Â
Administer the medication two hours before or after a mealÂ
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: bethanecholÂ
Pronounced: [ be-THAN-e-chol ]Â
Why do we use bethanechol?Â
bethanechol is primarily used to treat urinary retention and certain gastrointestinal motility disorders. Here are some of the specific uses of bethanechol:Â
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