Bethanechol

Bethanechol is a parasympathomimetic choline carbamate that selectively stimulates muscarinic receptors without any effect on nicotinic receptors. Unlike acetylcholine, bethanechol is not hydrolyzed by cholinesterase and will therefore have a long duration of action. Bethanechol is sold under the brand names Duvoid (Roberts), Myotonachol (Glenwood), Urecholine (Merck Frosst) and Urocarb (Hamilton). The name bethanechol refers to its structure as the urethane of beta-methylcholine.

Bethanechol
Clinical data
Trade namesUrecholine, others
Other names2-[(aminocarbonyl)oxy]- N,N,N-trimethyl- 1-propanaminium
Carbamyl-β-methylcholine
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682849
Routes of
administration		By mouth, subcutaneous
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • 2-(Carbamoyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylpropan-1-aminium
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC7H17N2O2
Molar mass161.225 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • O=C(OC(C)C[N+](C)(C)C)N
  • InChI=1S/C7H16N2O2/c1-6(11-7(8)10)5-9(2,3)4/h6H,5H2,1-4H3,(H-,8,10)/p+1 checkY
  • Key:NZUPCNDJBJXXRF-UHFFFAOYSA-O checkY
  (verify)

Medical uses

Bethanechol alleviates dry mouth[2] and is sometimes given orally or subcutaneously to treat urinary retention[3] resulting from general anesthetic, diabetic neuropathy of the bladder, or a side effect of antidepressants; or to treat gastrointestinal lack of muscular tone. The muscarinic receptors in the bladder and gastrointestinal tract stimulate contraction of the bladder and expulsion of urine, and increased gastrointestinal motility, respectively. Bethanechol should be used to treat these disorders only after mechanical obstruction is ruled out as a possible cause.

Its potential benefit in the treatment of cerebral palsy has been investigated.[4]

Atropine is given preoperatively to prevent voiding of the bowel/bladder during surgery, Bethanechol is then given postoperatively to revert this action.[5]

Contraindications

Use of bethanechol, as well as all other muscarinic receptor agonists, is contraindicated in patients with asthma, coronary insufficiency, peptic ulcers, intestinal obstruction and hyperthyroidism. The parasympathomimetic action of this drug will exacerbate the symptoms of these disorders.

References
  1. "Active substance: bethanechol" (PDF). List of nationally authorised medicinal products, Human Medicines Evaluation Division. European Medicines Agency. 11 February 2021.
  2. Gorsky M, Epstein JB, Parry J, Epstein MS, Le ND, Silverman S (February 2004). "The efficacy of pilocarpine and bethanechol upon saliva production in cancer patients with hyposalivation following radiation therapy". Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics. 97 (2): 190–195. doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2003.08.031. PMID 14970777.
  3. Moro C, Phelps C, Veer V, Clark J, Glasziou P, Tikkinen KA, Scott AM (January 2022). "The effectiveness of parasympathomimetics for treating underactive bladder: A systematic review and meta-analysis" (PDF). Neurourology and Urodynamics. 41 (1): 127–139. doi:10.1002/nau.24839. PMID 34816481. S2CID 244530010.
  4. Carter WJ (September 2008). "Unexpected benefits of bethanechol in adults with cerebral palsy". The Medical Journal of Australia. 189 (5): 293. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb02034.x. PMID 18759732. S2CID 29048832.
  5. Obied H (2011). Cholinergic Pharmacology. CSU.
  • "Bethanechol". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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