Bethanechol

DRUG INFORMATION

  ADULT
    - The usual adult oral dose ranges from 10 mg to 50 mg three or four times a day.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - The minimum effective dose is determined by giving 5 mg to 10 mg initially, and
      repeating the same amount at hourly intervals until satisfactory response occurs,
      or until a maximum of 50 mg has been given.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Dosage must be individualized, depending on the type and severity of the condition
      to be treated. Preferably give the drug when the stomach is empty. If taken soon
      after eating, nausea and vomiting may occur. The usual adult oral dose ranges from
      10 mg to 50 mg three or four times a day.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29

  CHILD
    - Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'pediatric
      use', retrieved 2026-08-29

  RENAL IMPAIRMENT
    - No kidney-impairment dose in this label. Not a statement that none is needed.
      Source: Read and found silent: the US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol
      Chloride), retrieved 2026-08-29

  HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT
    - No liver-impairment dose in this label. Not a statement that none is needed.
      Source: Read and found silent: the US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol
      Chloride), retrieved 2026-08-29

  PREGNANCY
    - Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been
      conducted with bethanechol chloride.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'pregnancy',
      retrieved 2026-08-29
    - It is also not known whether bethanechol chloride can cause fetal harm when
      administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'pregnancy',
      retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Bethanechol chloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'pregnancy',
      retrieved 2026-08-29

  BREASTFEEDING
    - It is not known whether this drug is secreted in human milk.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'nursing
      mothers', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Because many drugs are secreted in human milk and because of the potential for
      serious adverse reactions from bethanechol chloride in nursing infants, a decision
      should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking
      into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
      Source: US FDA label for bethanechol (Bethanechol Chloride), section 'nursing
      mothers', retrieved 2026-08-29