Bethanechol (Systemic)

Brand Names : Duvoid, Urabeth, Urecholine

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For bethanechol, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bethanechol. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether bethanechol passes into the breast milk.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of bethanechol in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of bethanechol in the elderly with use in other age groups, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of bethanechol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma or
• Epilepsy or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Intestinal blockage or
• Low blood pressure or
• Parkinson's disease or
• Recent bladder or intestinal surgery or
• Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems or
• Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination - Bethanechol may make these conditions worse

• High blood pressure - Bethanechol may cause a rapid fall in blood pressure

• Overactive thyroid - Bethanechol may further increase the chance of heart problems