Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Bethanechol
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Bethanechol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Amitriptyline has strong anticholinergic activity that directly opposes the muscarinic effects of bethanechol. This can reduce bethanechol's benefit in urinary retention and may worsen retention caused by the antidepressant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Bethanechol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Bethanechol belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between a muscarinic agonist and a muscarinic antagonist.
What to do
Monitor urinary symptoms and bethanechol response. Consider a less anticholinergic antidepressant if retention persists.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Bethanechol
- Bethanechol + Darifenacin Major
- Bethanechol + Fesoterodine Major
- Bethanechol + Oxybutynin Major
- Bethanechol + Physostigmine Major
- Amifampridine + Bethanechol Moderate
- Amoxapine + Bethanechol Moderate
Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Bethanechol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Bethanechol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Amitriptyline has strong anticholinergic activity that directly opposes the muscarinic effects of bethanechol. This can reduce bethanechol's benefit in urinary retention and may worsen retention caused by the antidepressant.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Bethanechol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor urinary symptoms and bethanechol response. Consider a less anticholinergic antidepressant if retention persists.
What other medicines interact with Bethanechol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Bethanechol with, for example, Darifenacin, Fesoterodine, Oxybutynin. The full list is on the Bethanechol page.
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