Bethanechol
Bethanechol is used to treat urinary retention (difficulty passing urine) caused by surgery, drugs or other factors. It helps the bladder muscle to squeeze better, and improve your ability to pass urine.
- Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
- This medication should be taken one hour before meals or two hours after meals to reduce nausea and vomiting.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You have recently went for bladder or intestinal surgery
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You have or ever had:
- Asthma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Epilepsy (fits)
- Stomach ulcers
- Slow heart rate or low blood pressure
- Heart problems such as blockage of arteries in your heart
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Drowsiness
- This may affect your ability to drive and use machinery. Do not drive or do activities which require you to be alert.
- Facial flushing where the skin on your face feels hot
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Nausea, vomiting
- Take small but frequent meals, and avoid fatty or spicy food.
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Headache
- You may take Paracetamol to relieve the headache.
- Sweating
Consult your healthcare professional immediately if you experience slow heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute, shortness of breath or fainting.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase the risk of drowsiness.
Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
