mAChR
Bethanechol targets muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), acting as a direct agonist. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system by binding to postganglionic muscarinic receptors, which are located on smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and exocrine glands. The compound has no nicotinic effects, making it selective for muscarinic receptors. Its action on muscarinic receptors leads to increased smooth muscle tone in the GI tract and urinary bladder. It also causes stimulation of exocrine glands and can affect heart rate and blood pressure.

Bethanechol (0.3-300 μM) decreases ileal pacemaker potentials noticeably[2].
In vitro, bethanechol acts as a direct muscarinic agonist. It binds to muscarinic receptors on smooth muscle cells and stimulates contraction. The compound's effects are mediated through the activation of muscarinic receptors and downstream signaling pathways. Its lack of nicotinic effects makes it useful for studying muscarinic receptor-mediated signaling in isolation.

Bethanechol (2-12 mg/kg; i.p.) causes rats to drink more and produce more urine in a dose-dependent fashion[4].
In vivo, bethanechol is used clinically to treat urinary retention and increase smooth muscle tone. It is administered orally or subcutaneously. The compound's effects are dose-dependent and can include increased bladder contraction, gastrointestinal motility, and exocrine gland secretion. Side effects may include hypotension, cardiac rate changes, and bronchial spasms.

In vitro non-cell enzyme/receptor binding assays for bethanechol typically involve measuring its binding affinity to muscarinic receptors using radioligand binding studies. Membranes from cells expressing muscarinic receptors are incubated with the compound and a radiolabeled antagonist, and the Ki is determined. Functional assays can measure the compound's ability to stimulate GTPγS binding or inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation.

In vitro cell-based assays for bethanechol use cell lines expressing muscarinic receptors. Cells are treated with varying concentrations of the compound, and parameters such as intracellular calcium levels, cAMP levels, and cell contraction are assessed. The compound's effects on smooth muscle contraction can be studied using isolated smooth muscle preparations.

Female rats of the Blue Spruce Farms (Sprague-Dawley) (280-330 g)
2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg
Intraperitoneal injection
In vivo animal studies for bethanechol employ models of urinary retention or gastrointestinal hypomotility. The compound is administered orally or subcutaneously, and parameters such as bladder pressure, gastrointestinal motility, and smooth muscle contraction are assessed. Pharmacokinetic studies in these models provide information about the compound's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
Following oral administration of betannicol, the maximum therapeutic effect in the bladder and gastrointestinal tract typically occurs after 60–90 minutes; however, it can appear as early as 30 minutes after administration. The duration of action of a typical oral dose of betannicol is approximately 1 hour, while higher doses (300–400 mg) can last up to 6 hours. Subcutaneous injection of betannicol has a rapid onset of action within 5–15 minutes, reaching maximum efficacy after 15–30 minutes. The effects of subcutaneous betannicol dissipate within 2 hours after administration.
Bethanechol has a molecular weight of 161.22 g/mol and a molecular formula of C₇H₁₇N₂O₂. It is a synthetic ester structurally and pharmacologically related to acetylcholine. The compound is also known as Carbamyl-β-methylcholine. Detailed pharmacokinetic parameters such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion have been characterized in clinical studies. Bethanechol is typically administered orally or subcutaneously.

Toxicity Summary
Betanidine directly stimulates cholinergic receptors in the parasympathetic nervous system, with minimal stimulation of ganglia. Its effects are primarily muscarinic, with minimal impact on nicotine receptors and negligible cardiovascular effects.

---

Effects During Pregnancy and Lactation
◉ Overview of Use During Lactation
There is currently no information regarding the use of betanidine during lactation. If used during lactation, infants should be closely monitored for signs of cholinergic overdose (diarrhea, lacrimation, excessive salivation, or excessive urination), especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants.
◉ Effects on Breastfed Infants
No published information found as of the revision date.
◉ Effects on Lactation and Breast Milk
No published information found regarding lactating mothers as of the revision date. In animal studies, cholinergic drugs increase oxytocin release, and the effects on serum prolactin levels vary. Prolactin levels in mothers who have established lactation may not affect their ability to breastfeed.
The toxicity profile of bethanechol includes hypotension, cardiac rate changes, and bronchial spasms. The compound is contraindicated in patients with asthma, cardiovascular disease, or peptic ulcer disease. As a therapeutic agent, bethanechol has been used clinically for many years and has a well-established safety profile.

[1]. Bethanechol. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.

[2]. Acetylcholine exerts inhibitory and excitatory actions on mouse ileal pacemaker activity: role of muscarinic versus nicotinic receptors. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2020 Jul 1;319(1):G97-G107.

[3]. Bethanechol-induced water intake in rats: possible mechanisms of induction. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1982 Oct;17(4):727-32.

Bethanechol is a carbamate of 2-methylcholine. It is a slowly hydrolyzed muscarinic receptor agonist and does not have nicotine-like effects. Bethanechol, in its chloride form, is used to increase smooth muscle tone, for example, in the gastrointestinal tract after abdominal surgery, in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and as an alternative to catheterization in the treatment of non-obstructive urinary retention. It is a muscarinic receptor agonist. It is a quaternary ammonium ion and carbamate.
Bethanechol is a synthetic ester, originally synthesized in 1935. As a cholinergic drug, Bethanechol has a structure and pharmacological function similar to acetylcholine and is used in specific situations requiring stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. For example, Bethanechol is often used to treat postoperative or postpartum urinary retention. The advantage of Bethanechol is that, unlike acetylcholine, it is not degraded by cholinesterase, thus its duration of action is longer.
Bethanechol is a cholinergic muscarinic receptor agonist. Betanidine's mechanism of action is as a cholinergic muscarinic receptor agonist. Betanidine is a synthetic ester whose structure and pharmacological action are related to acetylcholine. It is a slowly hydrolyzed muscarinic receptor agonist without nicotine-like effects and is commonly used to increase smooth muscle tone, for example, for gastrointestinal issues after abdominal surgery or for unobstructed urinary retention. It may cause hypotension, heart rate changes, and bronchospasm. [PubChem] A slowly hydrolyzed muscarinic receptor agonist without nicotine-like effects. Betanidine is commonly used to increase smooth muscle tone, for example, for gastrointestinal issues after abdominal surgery or for unobstructed urinary retention. It may cause hypotension, heart rate changes, and bronchospasm. See also: Betanidine chloride (salt form).

---

Drug Indications
Betanidine is indicated for the treatment of acute functional postpartum and postoperative urinary retention. It is also suitable for treating neurogenic bladder insufficiency with urinary retention. Mechanism of Action Betanidine is a direct muscarinic receptor agonist that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system by binding to postganglionic muscarinic receptors. Although there are five types of muscarinic receptors (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), the binding of betanidine to the M3 receptor is the most clinically important because M3 receptors are present in intestinal smooth muscle and the bladder. The cholinergic effects of betanidine increase detrusor muscle tone, promote bladder emptying, and increase smooth muscle tone, thereby restoring gastrointestinal motility and peristalsis. Due to its selectivity for muscarinic receptors, betanidine produces almost no nicotine-like effects. Pharmacodynamics Betanidine is selective for muscarinic receptors and has almost no effect on nicotine receptors. The charged quaternary ammonium group in the betanidine structure prevents it from crossing the blood-brain barrier, thereby minimizing central nervous system-related adverse reactions.
Bethanechol is a synthetic ester structurally and pharmacologically related to acetylcholine. It is a slowly hydrolyzed muscarinic agonist with no nicotinic effects. Bethanechol is a parasympathomimetic agent used to treat postoperative and postpartum non-obstructive functional urinary retention and neurogenic bladder atony with retention. It is a direct muscarinic agonist that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system by binding to postganglionic muscarinic receptors. Bethanechol is generally used to increase smooth muscle tone, as in the GI tract following abdominal surgery or in urinary retention. Clinically approved for use in urinary retention.

C₇H₁₇N₂O₂

161.22

161.129

674-38-4

Bethanechol chloride; 590-63-6

2370

Typically exists as solid at room temperature

217 - 221 °C (chloride salt)

0.876

1

2

4

11

140

0

CC(OC(N)=O)C[N+](C)(C)C

NZUPCNDJBJXXRF-UHFFFAOYSA-O

InChI=1S/C7H16N2O2/c1-6(11-7(8)10)5-9(2,3)4/h6H,5H2,1-4H3,(H-,8,10)/p+1

2-carbamoyloxypropyl(trimethyl)azanium

Bethanechol; Carbamyl-β-methylcholine

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

May dissolve in DMSO (in most cases), if not, try other solvents such as H2O, Ethanol, or DMF with a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

---

Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

View More

Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

---

Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

View More

Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

---

Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

---

 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)