Bethanechol is a muscarinic agonist used to treat postoperative and postpartum nonobstructive functional urinary retention and neurogenic atony of the bladder with retention. Bethanechol is a synthetic ester that was initially synthesized in 1935.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Bethanechol is a direct muscarinic agonist and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system by binding to postganglionic muscarinic receptors.
Though there are 5 types of muscarinic receptors (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), binding of bethanechol to M3 is most clinically significant since M3 receptors are present in intestinal smooth muscle and the bladder. The cholinergic effects of bethanechol lead to increased detrusor muscle tone to promote bladder emptying and increased smooth muscle tone which restores gastrointestinal peristalsis and motility.
As a result of selectivity for muscarinic receptors, bethanechol produces minimal to no nicotinic effects.
- Primary indication
- Bethanechol is indicated for the treatment of acute, functional postpartum and postoperative urinary retention.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C7H17N2O2 · 161.2221 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2004 · United States, 1990
- Also known as
- Amidopropyldimethylbetaine
- Brand names
Resolves to
NZUPCNDJBJXXRF-UHFFFAOYSA-OSMILESCC(C[N+](C)(C)C)OC(N)=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 13, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Bethanechol, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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