OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate bethanechol's efficacy in urinary difficulty, constipation, dry mouth and blurred vision and to evaluate the bethanechol's effect on psychopathology. METHODS: Thirty-two schizophrenic patients who have been treated with antipsychotics and the total score of anticholinergic side effect of 'Rating scale for side effect (no symptom ; 0, severe ; 3)' is above 5 were assigned to three group(controlled group, bethanechol 30 mg/day group, 60 mg/day group). These patients were entered on 6 weeks open trial. Anticholinergic side effects were assessed by 'Rating scale for side effect' and psychopathology by BPRS at base, 2nd week & 4th week. After 4weeks administration of bethanechol, 30 mg/day group was increase to 60 mg/day and 60 mg/day group was decreased to 30 mg/day for 2 weeks for evaluation of dose difference. And then anticholinergic side effects were reassessed at 6th week. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between blurred vision and age. There were no significant improvement of anticholinergic side effect in placebo group but significant improvement of urinary difficulty and dry mouth in 30 mg/day group and significant improvement of urinary difficulty, constipation and dry mouth in 60 mg/day group at 4th week evaluation. In the case dose up(bethanechol 30 mg/day to 60 mg/day) for 2 weeks, dry mouth was more improved. In the case of dose down (60 mg/day to 30 mg/day), the improvements of urinary difficulty and dry mouth were sustained but constipation was aggravated. There were no BPRS changes by bethanechol administration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that more than 30 mg/day of bethanechol made improvements in urinary difficulty, constipation, dry mouth, when the total score of Anticholinergic side effect of 'Rating scale for side effect (no symptom ; 0, severe ; 3)' is above 5, although 60 mg/day of bethanechol was more effective than 30 mg/day. Moreover bethanechol administration does not influence psychopathology.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Bethanechol* ; Constipation ; Humans ; Mouth ; Psychopathology

Background: Postoperative urinary retention is a commonly encountered problem after anal surgery particularly under spinal anesthesia. Bethanchol chloride, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist was used to determine whether it could prevent this problem. Methods: One hundred six patients with mean age of 37+ 9 who underwent anal surgery under spinal anesthesia from January to August 2007 were included in this nonblinded randomized prospective experimental study. Forty- six patients were given bethanechol chloride 25mg/tab 1 hour post- op then another dose after 4-6 hours. Those with the urge to void but unable to do so within the hour or had hypogastric pain (VAS > 8) were immediately catheterized and the amount drain recorded. Conclusion: Although bethanechol chloride did not completely prevent the development of postoperative urinary retention, it use was associated with reduced need for the catheterization.
Human ; Adult ; BETHANECHOL ; URINARY RETENTION ; ANESTHESIA, SPINAL

VUR is usually diagnosed by standard voiding cystourethrography(VCU). However, we are sometimes puzzled not being able to find VUR on VCU in the group of patients in whom VUR is highly suspected from accompanying obvious clinical, urographic and endoscopic features. For the purpose of detecting this type of VUR or 'subclinical VUR, VCU was performed after subcutaneous injection of bethanechol chloride in 3 patients who were highly suspected of VUR and two were diagnosed as subclinical VUR . Case 1 was diagnosed left VUR(grade II ) and case 2 was diagnosed right VUR(grade II) on VCU after' subcutaneous injection of bethanechol chloride. Both underwent unilateral ureteroneocystostomy and are on follow-up. Bethanechol chloride induced voiding cystourethrography is suggested to be a highly method to detect subclinical vesicoureteral reflux.
Bethanechol* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

PURPOSE: In a previous study increasing the extracellular clacium concentration enhanced the phasic contractile response to low frequency stimulation(2Hz) to a significantly greater degree than the enhancement of high frequency stimulation(16Hz). To investigate the sensitivity of the detrusor contractile responses to field stimulation, bethanechol and ATP in calcium free buffer, the current study was designed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each rabbit bladder strip of 5x10mm in size was incubated for 30 minutes in the Tyrode's solution. Individual strips were utilized to generate the response to field stimulation(2, 8 and 32Hz), bethanechol(1.0-250microM) or ATP(0.25-2mM). Upon completion of the first stimulation in Tyrode's solution, each tissue was washed 3 1.tomes at 15 minute intervals with fresh Tyrodes. At 15 minutes following the last wash, the Tyrode's solution was replaced with solution containing no calcium+1.0mM EGTA and incubated for ditional 5, 15 or 30 minutes. At the end of 5, 15 or 30-min period of tulibration a second round of field stimulation or dose-response curves to bethanechol or ATP were generated. The contractile responses were monitored via an FT03 force transducer and recorded on a Grass 7D polygraph and expressed as the g tension per 100mg of tissue. RESULTS: (1) Progressive decrease in both basal tension and spontaneous contractile activity (2) more rapid decrease in the contractile response to 2 and 8Hz field stimulation than to 32Hz stimulation (3) more rapid decrease in the contractile response to lower concentrations of bethanechol and ATP than to high concentrations (4) greater maximal inhibition of the contractile response to low concentrations of bethanechol and ATP than to high concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that detrusor contractility to a sub-maximal stimulation rather than maximal stimulation is more sensitive to extracellular calcium depletion.
Adenosine Triphosphate* ; Bethanechol* ; Calcium* ; Egtazic Acid ; Poaceae ; Transducers ; Urinary Bladder*

The authors studied ED50 of bethanechol on the contractilities of the smooth muscles isolated from various organs of rat under the presence of atropine (a classical competitive blocker of cholinergic muscarinic receptor) or minaprine (a newly developed antidepressant drug) to investigate the peripheral anticholinergic effect of minaprine. The results were as follow: 1) There was no significant difference between ED50 of bethanechol in the control group and that under the presence of minaprine 10⁻⁸M and 10⁻⁷M in the smooth muscles isolated from the duodenum. 2) There was no significant difference between ED50 of bethanechol in the control group and that under the presence of minaprine 10⁻⁸M and 10⁻⁷M in the smooth muscles isolated from the ascending colon. 3) There was significant difference between ED50 of bethanechol in the control group and that under the presence of minaprine 10⁻⁸M and 10⁻⁷M in the smooth muscles isolated from the urinary bladder (P<0.01) 4) There was significant difference between ED50 of the atropine 10⁻⁸ and minaprine (10⁻⁸M) in the smooth muscles isolated from the urinary bladder (P<0.05).
Animals ; Atropine ; Bethanechol ; Colon, Ascending ; Duodenum ; Muscle, Smooth ; Rats ; Urinary Bladder

Contraction of the bladder can be divided into two phases. The initial phase (phasic contraction) is characterized by a rapid increase in pressure that results in a change of bladder shape. This phase is followed immediately by a plateau phase (tonic contraction) that maintains an increase in intravesical pressure that is responsible for evacuating the bladder. This study was designed to determine the effect of relief of bladder outlet obstruction on the phasic and tonic detrusor contractile response to field and pharmacologic stimulation in rat urinary bladder. Forty female rats were used in this investigation. Normal bladder was used as control(n=8) and experimental groups (n=32) were classified into 6 weeks obstruction group and 2, 4, and 6 weeks groups after relief of obstruction. The phasic and tonic contractile response to field stimulation (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 Hz) and bethanechol (3 x -100,000 M) was estimated by polygraph. Following results were obtained. 1) The weight of bladder was increased in obstruction group and gradually decreased after relief of obstruction (p<0.05). 2) The phasic and tonic contractile response to all frequency of stimulation was decreased in obstruction group and rapidly recovered from 4 weeks after relief of obstruction (p<0.05). 3) In low frequency field stimulation, the ratio of tonic to phasic contractile response was decreased in obstruction group when compared with control (p<0.05) and in all frequency field stimulation, the ratio tended to recover after relief of obstruction (p>0.05). 4) Detrusor contractile response to bethanechol was rapidly decreased in obstruction group and rapidly recovered after relief of obstruction. And the contractile response in 6 weeks after relief of obstruction was higher than control (p<0.05). As the results of above, we concluded that relief of bladder outlet obstruction induced recovery of the ability to initiate contraction2 However, emptying ability is not recovered within a certain period of time. And further study will be needed.
Animals ; Bethanechol ; Female ; Humans ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction* ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the effects of bethanechol, pyridostigmine and levosulpiride, on the contraction of rabbit bladder strip tissue in a single agent administration, and to investigate the synergistic effects in a mixed administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Smooth muscle strips of bladder were prepared using female, New Zealand white, rabbits. After an equilibration period, dose response curves to each agent, with cumulative administration, were performed in the basal tension state of the strips. Each strip was then pretreated with the agent at the maximal concentration that would not induce a bladder contraction, and second dose-response curves for the other agents were obtained. Following this, the maximal stimulation with bethanechol was performed, and during the tonic response, pyridostigmine or levosulpiride was administrated to observe any synergistic effects of the agents. Similar experiments were repeated for the pyridostigmine and levosulpiride. RESULTS: Each agent elicited a dose-dependent contractile response, in the order; bethanechol (0-4.49g/100mg tissue), pyridostigmine (0-1.58g/100mg tissue) and levosulpiride (0-0.44g/100mg tissue). In the presence of pyridostigmine (3x10(-6)M) or levosulpiride (10(-4)M), no additive effects were noted after the cumulative stimulation with bethanechol (10(-10)-10(-4)M). During the tonic response of bethanechol (10(-4)M) or pyridostigmine (10(-2)M), the addition of levosulpiride (10(-2)M) induced a significant increase in the bladder strip contractions, but the addition of pyridostigmine (10(-2)M) or bethanechol (10(-4)M) decreased the maximal response (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that pyridostigmine may be useful for impaired detrusor contractility management. Synergistic effects can also be expected when administrating levosulpiride, in addition to bethanechol, in improving bladder contractility.
Bethanechol ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; New Zealand ; Pyridostigmine Bromide* ; Rabbits ; Urinary Bladder*

OBJECTIVES: Haloperidol has been widely used for treating schizophrenia with somewhat limitation due to the side effects. Some of these side effects are anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary difficulty, blurred vision, sexual dysfunction, etc. Some kinds strategies to minimize these side effects are tried, one of which is the use of bethanechol. The authors studied the effects of bethanechol on the anticholinergic side effects of typical antipsychotics. METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 60 chronic schizophrenics who had used haloperidol since 4 weeks before the study and whose score of 'Askers side effects rating scale' was above 7. They were assigned evenly to three groups (placebo group, bethanechol 40mg group, bethanechol 80mg group). Benztropin had been washed out for 2 weeks before the study. The authors measured ASRS for evaluating the anticholinergic side effect and BPRS for evaluating the effects of bethanechol on the psychopathology, at baseline, the 2nd week and the 4th week from baseline, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of patients was 38.00(+/- 10.55) years, the mean duration of illness was 11.12(+/- 8.09) years, and the mean dosage of the haloperidol was 15.07(+/- 6.03)mg. At baseline, mean score of BFRS was 50.25(+/- 5.24), and mean score of ASRS was 9.27 (+/- 3.04). There were no significant differences of ages, duration of illness, dosage of haloperidol, scores of BPRS and ASRS among 3 groups at baseline. There were no significant changes in BPRS at the 2nd week and the 4th week as compared with baseline, and also there were no changes among groups. The total sums of ASRS showed the statistically significant changes in the 80mg group at the 2nd week and the 4th week. The 80mg group showed statistically significant changes in dry mouth, constipation and urinary difficulty dom the 2nd week, and orthostatic symptoms from the 4th week. CONCLUSION: The authors found that the use of bethanechol for the chronic schizophrenics treating with haloperidol greatly improved the anticholinergic side effects with no change in psychopathology. The 80mg group showed more significant results than the placebo group and the 40mg group, especially in dry mouth, constipation, urinary diffculty and orthostatic symptoms. The authors suggest that high doses of bethanechol decrease the anticholinergic side effects and increase the drug compliance of chronic schizophrenics with anticholinergic side effects.
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Bethanechol* ; Compliance ; Constipation ; Haloperidol* ; Humans ; Mouth ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: Bethanechol enhances detrusor contraction and alpha1-blockers reduce bladder outlet resistance. We evaluated the effects of bethanechol with doxazosin in patients with impaired detrusor contractility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients that had confirmed detrusor underactivity with at least 150ml of postvoid residual urine volume(PVR) based on a urodynamic study were enrolled. The initial dosage of bethanechol given was 75mg/day, and the dosage was gradually increased to 150mg/day if necessary. Doxazosin gastro-intestinal therapeutic system(GITS)(4mg) was also given. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by a urine flow test, the amount of PVR, and frequency of clean intermittent catheterization(CIC). RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 6 months(range, 1 to 9 months). After treatment, the mean PVR decreased from 251.8+/-149.6ml to 136.4+/-153.2ml(p<0.001) and was less than 100ml in 22(39%) of the 38 patients that showed a decrease. The maximum flow rate(Qmax) increased from 8.7+/-4.7ml/s to 11.1+/-5.6ml/s(p=0.024) and was more than 5ml/s in 13 patients(23%). Five of the 18 patients that previously required CIC could discontinue this treatment and another nine patients showed a decrease in the frequency. The mean daily frequency of CIC was reduced from 3.2 to 1.5(p=0.004). Ten of the 12 patients that were not able to void became capable of voluntary voiding. Five patients(9%) complained of adverse reactions and four of them were taken off the medication. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy of bethanechol with doxazosin improved emptying ability in patients with impaired detrusor contractility.
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; Bethanechol* ; Doxazosin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the direct effects of ethanol and its metabolites, acetaldehyde and acetic acid, on isolated rat bladder muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For measuring of isometric tension change, rat bladder muscle strips were used. Following ethanol(0.25-3%) was applied to bethanechol(0.1mM)-precontracted muscle strips, acetaldehyde(0.1 to 10mM) and acetic acid(0.1 to 10mM) were applied to resting muscle strips respectively, and were applied to bethanechol(0.1 mM)-precontracted muscle strips respectively. RESULTS: Bladder contraction of tissue strips induced by bethanechol was reduced by ethanol in a dose-dependent manner. Acetaldehyde(1 to 10mM) and acetic acid(5 to 1 0mM) increased the rssting tension(control group), and acetaldehyde(0.1 to 10mM) and acetic acid(0.1 to 10mM) applied to bethanechol-induced contraction enhanced significantly contraction compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that responses of the rat bladder muscle were reduced by exposure to ethanol, and however, acetaldehyde and acetic acid affect the resting tension itself and show synergistic effect to bethanechol in bladder contractility. These suggest that all of the acute ethanol intoxication did not cause to urinary retention in human with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Acetaldehyde ; Acetic Acid ; Animals ; Bethanechol ; Ethanol* ; Humans ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Retention