A health care professional is caring for a patient who is taking bethanechol (Betaganechol) to treat urinary retention. Bethanechol is a drug that acts like acetylcholine and causes bladder muscles to contract, which helps you pass urine easier.
The dose of bethanechol is based on the type of urinary retention and the severity of symptoms. The dosage is usually 10 mg to 50 mg taken orally 3 or 4 times a day.
You must take this medication on an empty stomach. It can take up to 90 minutes before the medicine works.
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Never flush this medicine down a toilet or pour it down a drain unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to bethanechol or any of the ingredients in bethanechol. This medicine may also interact with certain drugs and supplements, so you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are using or plan to use.
This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. This is because it can cause serious adverse effects in the baby.
Symptoms of bethanechol overdose include:
If you think you have taken too much of this medication, call your local poison control center or get emergency medical care right away. You may need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment. Be ready to give your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist a list of all the medicines you are taking and when you took them.