Bethanechol chloride and the traumatic cord bladder

The effect of bethanechol chloride was evaluated in 28 men with neurogenic bladder disease secondary to traumatic spinal cord damage. Simultaneous measurements of bladder pressure, electromyography of the pelvic floor and flow rate were obtained to evaluate the effect on voiding. The results of these studies revealed that bethanechol chloride failed to improve voiding dysfunction in these patients in either the supine or sitting position. Functional bladder outlet obstruction was aggravated by bethanechol chloride. It was found that the effect of this drug on the bladder was unpredictable, as evidenced by some patients converting from a definite detrusor contraction to a wave type pattern. Bethanechol chloride failed to induce a detrusor contraction in patients with areflexia or wave pattern bladders.