Oral tablets should be taken on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after meals) to reduce the likelihood of nausea and vomiting. Subcutaneous injection should only be administered by trained healthcare professionals.

Bethanechol directly stimulates muscarinic receptors of the parasympathetic nervous system, increasing the tone of the detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder, which leads to contraction of the bladder and urination. It also increases gastrointestinal motility.

• •Hypersensitivity to bethanechol.
• •Hyperthyroidism, peptic ulcer, latent or active bronchial asthma.
• •Known or suspected mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal or urinary tract.
• •Pronounced bradycardia or hypotension, vasomotor instability, coronary artery disease, epilepsy, parkinsonism.
• •During convalescence from recent myocardial infarction or hypertension.

Store at room temperature (20-25°C), away from moisture and direct light. Keep out of reach of children.

Symptoms of overdose include muscarinic overstimulation (e.g., salivation, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm). Treatment involves symptomatic and supportive measures. Atropine is an antidote.

Pregnancy Category C. Bethanechol should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. It is not known whether bethanechol is excreted in human milk. Exercise caution when administered to a nursing mother.