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bethanechol

Carbamoyl ester, muscarinic agonist · Muscarinic Agonist

Carbamoyl ester, muscarinic agonistMuscarinic Agonist
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
4 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Top interactions
  • BupropionSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • IohexolSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • IopamidolSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • TramadolSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Unsubstituted carbamoyl ester, almost completely resistant to hydrolysis by cholinesterases. Has mainly muscarinic actions, with prominent effects on motility of the GI tract and urinary bladder.

Indications

Treating urinary retention and inadequate emptying of the bladder (when organic obstruction is absent, e.g., postoperative urinary retention, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, chronic hypotonic, myogenic, or neurogenic bladder)Postoperative abdominal distention (formerly)Gastric atony (formerly)Gastroparesis (formerly)Adynamic ileus (formerly)Gastroesophageal reflux (formerly)postoperative nonobstructive urinary retentionpostpartum nonobstructive urinary retentionneurogenic bladder (to promote urination)

Dosing

Adult
10 to 50 mg orally three or four times daily, administered on an empty stomach (1h before or 2h after a meal)

Side effects

Common
NauseaVomitingbelchingcolicinvoluntary urinationinvoluntary defecationflushingsweatingfall in BPbronchospasm

Drug interactions

Bupropion
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy.

Source: DDInter

Iohexol
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Iopamidol
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Tramadol
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy.

Source: DDInter

8 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interactions hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.

Related guidelines

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy
AAN · Neurology · 2022
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
ISG · Gastroenterology · 2022
Gastric premalignant conditions
ACG · Gastroenterology · 2025
Diabetic retinopathy
RSSDI · Ophthalmology · 2023
Diabetic retinopathy
AIOS · Ophthalmology · 2023

Other Carbamoyl ester, muscarinic agonist drugs

carbachol
0 brands

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Textbook-sourced·Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e·Updated: 2026-05-10