Bethanechol

Bethanechol
Bethanechol
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-(carbamoyloxy)- N,N,N-trimethylpropan- 1-aminium
Clinical data
Trade names Urecholine
AHFS/Drugs.com monograph
MedlinePlus a682849
Pregnancy cat. C(US)
Legal status  ?
Routes Oral, subcutaneous
Identifiers
CAS number 674-38-4 YesY
ATC code N07AB02
PubChem CID 2370
IUPHAR ligand 297
DrugBank APRD00051
ChemSpider 2280 YesY
UNII 004F72P8F4 YesY
KEGG C06850 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:3084 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL1482 YesY
Synonyms 2-[(aminocarbonyl)oxy]- N,N,N-trimethyl- 1-propanaminium
Chemical data
Formula C7H17N2O2 
Mol. mass 161.221 g/mol
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
 N(what is this?)  (verify)

Bethanechol is a parasympathomimetic choline carbamate that selectively stimulates muscarinic receptors without any effect on nicotinic receptors. Unlike acetylcholine, bethanechol is not hydrolyzed by cholinesterase and will therefore have a long duration of action. Bethanechol does not involve the action of the muscarinic M3 receptor subtype in-vitro (Benavides-Haro et al. (2003))

Bethanechol is sold under the brand names Duvoid (Roberts), Myotonachol (Glenwood), Urecholine (Merck Frosst) and Urocarb (Hamilton).

Uses

Bethanechol is sometimes given orally or subcutaneously to treat urinary retention resulting from general anesthetic or diabetic neuropathy of the bladder, or to treat gastrointestinal atony (lack of muscular tone). The muscarinic receptors in the bladder and gastrointestinal tract stimulate contraction of the bladder and expulsion of urine, and increased gastrointestinal motility, respectively. Bethanechol should be used to treat these disorders only after mechanical obstruction is ruled out as a possible cause.

Its potential benefit in the treatment of cerebral palsy has been investigated.[1] Bethanechol is a powerful cholinergic agent which efficiently crosses the blood - brain barrier and may have powerful nootropic properties in enhancement of neural signaling and processing speed as well.

Atropine is given preoperatively to prevent voiding of the bowel/bladder during surgery, Bethanechol is then given postoperatively to revert this action.[2]

Contraindications

Use of bethanechol, as well as all other muscarinic receptor agonists, is contraindicated in patients with asthma, coronary insufficiency, peptic ulcers, intestinal obstruction and hyperthyroidism. The parasympathomimetic action of this drug will exacerbate the symptoms of these disorders.

References

  1. ^ Carter WJ (September 2008). "Unexpected benefits of bethanechol in adults with cerebral palsy". Med. J. Aust. 189 (5): 293. PMID 18759732. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/189_05_010908/letters_010908_fm-2.html. 
  2. ^ Obied, Hassan (2011). Cholinergic Pharmacology. CSU. 

(Benavides-Haro et al. (2003)). The cholinomimetic agent bethanechol activates IK(ACh) in feline atrial myocytes. Naunyn-Schmiedederg's Arch Pharmacol. 368:309-315