bethanechol is a medication that acts as a cholinergic agonist, stimulating the receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Specifically, bethanechol acts on muscarinic receptors, which are found in smooth muscle tissue, glands, and the central nervous system.
bethanechol’s primary mechanism of action stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates many bodily functions, including digestion, urination, and heart rate. By activating muscarinic receptors, bethanechol can cause increased contraction of smooth muscle in the bladder and gastrointestinal tract, leading to increased urinary output and enhanced gastrointestinal motility.
bethanechol has a relatively narrow spectrum of activity and is primarily used to treat urinary retention or dysfunction caused by a lack of bladder contractility. It may also stimulate gastrointestinal motility in patients with certain conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or postoperative ileus. bethanechol is impractical for treating urinary retention caused by an obstruction, such as an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture.
