Urecholine

Generic Name: Bethanechol Chloride
Class: Parasympathomimetic (Cholinergic) Agents
VA Class: AU300
CAS Number: 590-63-6

Introduction

Cholinergic agonist.^a

Uses for Urecholine

Urinary Retention

Treatment of acute postoperative and postpartum nonobstructive urinary retention and neurogenic atony of the bladder with retention.^{104 a}

Preferred agent to other parasympathomimetic drugs because of its relatively localized effect on the urinary tract and relative lack of adverse cardiovascular effects.^a

Heartburn

Has been shown to produce symptomatic improvement and decrease antacid use in some patients with chronic refractory heartburn† and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including vagotomized and antrectomized patients.^a However, use has decreased because of adverse CNS effects; acid suppression therapy with other agents (e.g., proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H₂-receptor antagonists) is principally used.¹⁰⁵

Urecholine Dosage and Administration

Administration

Administer orally on an empty stomach (e.g., 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) to minimize nausea and vomiting.^{104 a}

Has been administered by sub-Q injection, but an injectable dosage form no longer is commercially available in the US.^a

Dosage

Available as bethanechol chloride; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.^{104 a}

Individualize dosage according to the type and severity of the condition.^{104 a}

Adults

Urinary Retention

Oral

Determine the minimum effective dosage by administering 5 or 10 mg every hour until a satisfactory response occurs or a maximum of 50 mg has been given.^{104 a}

Usual dosage: 10–50 mg 3–4 times daily. ^{104 a}

Heartburn†

Oral

25 mg 4 times daily has been given.^a

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.^a

Cautions for Urecholine

Contraindications

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  Hyperthyroidism.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Peptic ulcer.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Latent or active bronchial asthma.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Coronary artery disease (CAD).¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Epilepsy.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Parkinsonism.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Pronounced bradycardia or hypotension.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Vasomotor instability.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Condition in which the strength or integrity of the GI or bladder wall is in question or when increased muscular activity of GI tract or urinary bladder might prove harmful (e.g., recent urinary bladder surgery, GI resection and anastomosis) or when there is possible obstruction of GI tract or bladder neck, spastic GI disturbances, acute inflammatory GI tract lesions, peritonitis, or marked vagotonia.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.¹⁰⁴

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

General Precautions

Urinary Tract Infections

Risk of infection in patients with urinary retention and bacteriuria; if sphincter fails to relax, bethanechol-induced bladder contraction may force urine up ureter into kidney pelvis, causing reflux infection.¹⁰⁴

Cardiovascular Effects

May produce a slight, transient decrease in diastolic BP with mild reflex tachycardia.^{104 a} Patients with hypertension may react with a precipitous fall in BP.^{104 a}

Periods of atrial fibrillation reported in hyperthyroid patients following administration of cholinergic drugs.^a

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.¹⁰⁴

Lactation

Not known whether bethanechol is distributed into milk.^{104 a} Discontinue nursing or the drug.^{104 a}

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.¹⁰⁴

Common Adverse Effects

Adverse effects rare after oral administration; more common after sub-Q injection (no longer commercially available in the US).¹⁰⁴ Adverse effects are most likely to occur when dosage is increased.^{104 a}

Abdominal cramps^{104 a} , colicky pain,^{104 a} flushing,^{104 a} sweating,^{104 a} salivation,^{104 a} malaise,^{104 a} headache,^{104 a} diarrhea,^{104 a} nausea,^{104 a} vomiting,^{104 a} bronchial constriction,^{104 a} urinary urgency,^{104 a} miosis.^{104 a}

Interactions for Urecholine

Specific Drugs and Laboratory Tests

Drug or Test	Interaction	Comments
Antiarrhythmic agents (e.g., procainamide, quinidine)	May antagonize effects of bethanechol a
Anticholinesterase agents (e.g., neostigmine)	Risk of additive effects and increased toxicity of bethanechol a	Avoid concomitant usea
Atropine	Antagonizes effects of bethanechol a	Interaction may be used to therapeutic advantage to counteract symptoms of bethanechol toxicitya
Cholinergic agents	Risk of additive effects and increased toxicity of bethanechol a	Avoid concomitant usea
Ganglion blocking compounds	Possible critical fall in BP and severe abdominal symptoms104 a	Use caution; monitor BP and abdominal symptoms104
Sympathomimetic agents (e.g., epinephrine)	Antagonizes effects of bethanechol at sites where adrenergic stimulation produces opposite effects from cholinergic stimulationa
Tests for serum amylase and lipase	Possible increase in serum amylase and lipase concentrationsa
Tests for serum aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and sulfobromophthalein retention	Possible increase in concentrations by bethanechola

Urecholine Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Poorly absorbed from the GI tract.^a

Onset

Effects may be evident within 30 minutes after oral administration; usually, 60–90 minutes required to reach maximum effectiveness.^{104 a}

Administration by sub-Q injection produces a more intense action on bladder muscle than oral administration; however, an injectable dosage form no longer is commercially available in the US.^{104 a}

Duration

Usually, 1 hour following oral administration; however, large doses (300–400 mg) have been reported to produce effects for up to 6 hours.^{104 a}

Distribution

Extent

Does not cross the blood-brain barrier in usual doses.^{104 a} Distribution into other body fluids is largely unknown.^a

Elimination

Metabolic path and mode of excretion not known.^{104 a}

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

Tight containers at 20–25°C.^{104 a}

ActionsActions

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  Synthetic ester structurally and pharmacologically related to acetylcholine.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Directly stimulates cholinergic receptors; stimulates ganglia to a lesser extent.^a

  
  


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  Effects are almost exclusively muscarinic; little, if any, nicotinic activity, and cardiovascular effects are negligible.^{104 a}

  
  


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  Increases tone and peristaltic activity in the stomach and intestines, increases esophageal peristalsis and the resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, increases pancreatic and GI secretions, contracts detrusor muscle of urinary bladder, decreases bladder capacity, and increases frequency of ureteral peristaltic waves.^{104 a}

  
  

Advice to Patients

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  Inform patient to take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals to avoid nausea or vomiting.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Risk of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.¹⁰⁴ Use caution when rising from a lying or sitting position.¹⁰⁴

  
  


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  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs.^{104 a}

  
  


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  Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.^{104 a}

  
  


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  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.^{104 a} (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Bethanechol Chloride

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Oral	Tablets	5 mg*	Urecholine (scored)	Duramed
		10 mg*	Urecholine (scored)	Duramed
		25 mg*	Urecholine (scored)	Duramed
		50 mg*	Urecholine (scored)	Duramed

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 03/2011. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Bethanechol Chloride 10MG Tablets (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA): 90/$89.99 or 270/$259.98

Bethanechol Chloride 25MG Tablets (WOCKHARDT USA): 90/$128.99 or 270/$361.95

Bethanechol Chloride 5MG Tablets (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA): 90/$59.99 or 270/$159.96

Bethanechol Chloride 50MG Tablets (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA): 90/$179.99 or 270/$529.96

Urecholine 10MG Tablets (ODYSSEY PHARMACEUTICALS INC.): 90/$119.99 or 270/$335.97

Urecholine 50MG Tablets (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA): 90/$349.99 or 270/$1029.97

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions May 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

References

100. Guerra MF, Ives TJ. Bethanechol and hypothermia. Ann Intern Med. 1983; 99:279-80. [IDIS 173851] [PubMed 6136246]

103. Merck, West Point, PA: Personal communication.

104. Duramed Pharmaceuticals. Urecholine (bethanechol chloride) tablets prescribing informaiton. Pomona, NY; 2006 Nov.

105. DeVault KR, Castell DO. Updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005; 100:190-200. [PubMed 15654800]

a. AHFS drug information 2007. McEvoy GK, ed. Bethanecol. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2007:1240-1241.

More Urecholine resources

• Urecholine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Urecholine Dosage
• Urecholine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Urecholine Drug Interactions
• Urecholine Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Urecholine - Add your own review/rating

• Urecholine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Urecholine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Urecholine Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Urecholine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Bethanechol Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Urecholine with other medications

• Abdominal Distension
• GERD
• Urinary Retention