Betheran

Betheran is indicated for the treatment of acute postoperative and postpartum non obstructive (functional) urinary retention and for neurogenic atony of the urinary bladder with retention.

Betheran stimulates your bladder to empty.

Betheran is used to treat urinary retention (difficulty urinating), which may occur after surgery, after delivering a baby, and in other situations.

Betheran may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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 to 50 mg three or four times a day. The minimum effective dose is determined by giving 5 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. The effects of the drug sometimes appear within 30 minutes and are usually maximal within 60 to 90 minutes. The drug effects persist for about one hour.

If necessary, the effects of the drug can be abolished promptly by atropine.

How supplied

Betheran Tablets, USP

5 mg - White, 7/16" diameter, round flat faced bevel edge tablets: one side scored and debossed BCL bisect 5, one side debossed 832, in bottles of 100 and 1000, and in unit dose cartons of 100 tablets (10 cards containing 10 tablets each).

10 mg - White, 7/16" diameter, round flat faced bevel edge tablets; one side scored and debossed BCL bisect 10, one side debossed 832, in bottles of 100. 250 and 1000, and in unit dose cartons of 100 tablets (10 cards containing 10 tablets each).

25 mg - Yellow, 7/16" diameter, round flat faced bevel edge tablets; one side scored and debossed BCL bisect 25, one side debossed 832, in bottles of 100, 250, 500 and 1000, and in unit dose cartons of 100 tablets (10 cards containing 10 tablets each).

50 mg - Yellow, 7/16" diameter, round fiat faced bevel edge tablets; one side scored and debossed BCL bisect 50, one side debossed 832, in bottles of 100, 500 and 1000. and in unit dose cartons of 100 tablets (10 cards containing 10 tablets each).

Store at 20-25°C (68-7?°F) and excursions permitted to 15-30"C (59-86°F).

Dispense in a tight container as defined in the USP

Keep out of reach of children.

Rev. 05-05. Manufactured by: UPSHER-SMITH LABORATORIES, INC. Minneapolis, MN 55447. FDA Rev date: 6/1/2005

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Betheran?

Hypersensitivity to Betheran tablets, hyperthyroidism, peptic ulcer, latent or active bronchial asthma, pronounced bradycardia or hypotension, vasomotor Instability, coronary artery disease, epilepsy and parkinsonism.

Betheran should not be employed when the strength or integrity of the gastrointestinal or bladder wall is in question, or in the presence of mechanical obstruction; when increased muscular activity of the gastrointestinal tract or urinary bladder might prove harmful, as following recent urinary bladder surgery, gastrointestinal resection and anastomosis, or when there Is possible gastrointestinal obstruction; in bladder neck obstruction, spastic gastrointestinal disturbances, acute inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, or peritonitis; or in marked vagotonia.

Use Betheran as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Betheran on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. If taken soon after eating, nausea and vomiting may occur.
• If you miss a dose of Betheran, take it as soon as possible. If it is more than 2 hours since your dose was to be taken, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Betheran.

Betheran is used to treat acute urirary retention after surgrey, childbirth and due to various diseases of the urinary bladder. Betheran may also be used for treating a disease called congenital megacolon (abnormal dilatation of large intestine which is present from birth) and gastro-esophageal reflux and reflux esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus due to regurgitation).

See also:
What other drugs will affect Betheran?

Special care is required if this drug is given to patients receiving ganglion blocking compounds because a critical fall in blood pressure may occur. Usually, severe abdominal symptoms appear before there is such a fall in the blood pressure.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Betheran?

Applies to Betheran: elixir, solution, tablet

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Betheran (the active ingredient contained in Betheran). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

Severity: Moderate

If any of the following side effects occur while taking Betheran, check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:

Rare - more common with the injection

• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or tightness in chest

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with Betheran may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

Less common or rare: - more common with the injection

• Belching
• blurred vision or change in near or distance vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• feeling faint
• frequent urge to urinate
• headache
• increased watering of mouth or sweating
• nausea or vomiting
• redness or flushing of skin or feeling of warmth
• seizures
• sleeplessness, nervousness, or jitters
• stomach discomfort or pain

A slowly hydrolyzed muscarinic agonist with no nicotinic effects. Betheran is generally used to increase smooth muscle tone, as in the GI tract following abdominal surgery or in urinary retention in the absence of obstruction. It may cause hypotension, cardiac rate changes, and bronchial spasms.