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Directions for Patients On Cholinergics

The problem: The testing done in the clinic today showed that your bladder is areflexic. It does not contract effectively, causing urine to stay in your bladder. With the retained urine, your bladder gets full twice as fast. Before long it is so full it runs over. Urine left in the bladder provides a very good place for bacteria to grow and results in frequent infections.

The treatment: The bethanechol chloride (Urecholine) prescribed for you today is intended to strengthen the contraction of your bladder and decrease the amount of urine that stays in your bladder when you void. This will decrease the probability that your bladder will get too full and run over. It will also help to get rid of a leftover pool of urine that encourages the growth of bacteria and infection. Initially you may notice a worsening of your bladder symptoms. The amount of medication prescribed today may need to be changed after we have had an opportunity to asess your response to this drug.

Cautions: If you have a history of low blood pressure, heart trouble, allergies, hyperthyroidism, or have stomach or intestinal problems, please be sure that we know that.

Combining the Urecholine with such drugs as epinephrine (found in some inhalators for asthma or allergies) may cause a serious asthmatic aftack even in people with no history of asthma. Do not take any prescription or nonprescription drug with your bladder medication unless you have checked with your pharmacist.

Side effects: Like all drugs, Urecholine has some side effects. In the dosage prescribed, these are rare. Diarrhea is the most common. This is usually only temporary and can be treated with Kaopectate. In high doses, this drug may cause a lowering of your blood pressure. If you should begin to feel light-headed, especially upon arising in the morning, please call us immediately.