Bethanechol chloride is indicated for the treatment of acute postoperative and postpartum nonobstructive (functional) urinary retention, and neurogenic atony of the urinary bladder retention.

Dosage must be individualized, depending on type and severity of the condition to be treated. 
Preferably give the drug on an empty stomach to minimize the possibility of nausea and vomiting. 
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 or 10 mg initially, and repeating the same amount at hourly intervals until satisfactory responses occurs, or until a maximum of 50 mg has been given. The effects of the drug sometimes appear withing 30 minutes, and are usually maximal within 90 minutes. The drugs effects persist for about one hour.

Adverse reactions are infrequent with bethanechol chloride. The following may occur:
Cardiovascular: Fall in blood pressure (see WARNINGS) 
Gastrointestinal: Involuntary defecation, vomiting, colicky pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and belching, salivation and borborygmi. 
Respiratory: Asthmatic attacks and dyspnea. 
Neurologic: Headache, facial flushing. 
Urogenital: Urinary urgency. 
Miscellaneous: Substernal pressure of pain (see WARNINGS), malaise.

See package insert for complete information. 

Bethanechol chloride, is indicated I the presence of mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts, or in conditions where the integrity of the gastrointestinal or bladder wall is questionable. Also, it is contraindicated in spastic gastrointestinal disturbances, peptic ulcer, acute inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, or peritonitis, or in marked vagotonia.

Bethanechol chloride is also contraindicated in latent or active asthma, hyperthyroidism, coronary occlusion, bradycardia, vasomotor instability, hypotension, coronary artery disease, epilepsy, and parkinsonism.

General: In urinary retention, if the sphincter fails to relax as bethanechol contracts the bladder, urine may be forced p the ureter into the kidney pelvis. If there is bacteriuria, this may cause a reflux infection.