Bethanechol chloride

Bethanechol chloride	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A parasympathomimetic agent used used in veterinary medicine to help alleviate urine retention

Examples of veterinary uses

Relief of urine retention

Examples of species treated

Cats; Dogs; Horses

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Bethanechol chloride exhibits optical isomerism, due to the presence of a chiral centre in its molecular structure. The molecule contains a quaternary ammonium group attached to a chiral carbon, which allows for the existence of two enantiomers: (R)-bethanechol chloride and (S)-bethanechol chloride. In practice, bethanechol is typically administered as a racemic mixture.

Chemical formula

C₇H₁₇ClN₂O₂

Canonical SMILES

CC(C[N+](C)(C)C)OC(=O)N.[Cl-]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

XXRMYXBSBOVVBH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

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

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

GI stimulant, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Choline carbamate drug; Quaternary ammonium compound

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Bethanechol is a direct muscarinic agonist and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system by binding to postganglionic muscarinic receptors

Molecular targets

[Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3, Agonist], [Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M5, Agonist]

CAS RN

590-63-6

EC number

209-686-8

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

11548

Therapeutic Class

Nervous system: Choline esters

ATCvet Code

QN07AB02

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

196.67

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

2-carbamoyloxypropyl(trimethyl)azanium;chloride

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

A slightly hygroscopic and polymorphic colorless crystalline powder with a slight, amine-like smell

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1935, first synthesised

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Endo Operations
Greenwood
Merck Frosst

Example products using this active

Duvoid
Myotonachol
Urecholine

Formulation and application details

May be administered orally or via subcutaneous injection

Commercial production

The production of bethanechol chloride involves synthesising a quaternary ammonium compound through a series of controlled chemical reactions. The process typically starts with choline derivatives, such as methyl chloride choline, which are reacted with chloroform in a cooled reaction vessel at around 0 DegC. To this mixture, solid phosgene is added in batches while stirring, initiating the formation of the carbamate structure. A catalyst is introduced after each phosgene addition to facilitate the reaction. The resulting intermediate undergoes further refinement to yield bethanechol, which is then converted into its chloride salt form for pharmaceutical use.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

331

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

217

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

1500

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

1500

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly eliminated, unchanged, through renal excretion

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause gastrointestinal disturbance and include vomiting, diarrhea

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not oxidising or explosive
Incompatible with strong oxidising agents
Hazardous reaction possible when in contact with nitrites, nitrates or nitrous acid

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302

WHO Classification

UN Number

Not regulated

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

The product is chemically stable under ambient conditions

TRANSLATIONS

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Name

English

bethanechol chloride

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Record last updated:	15/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242