UROCARB®
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
UROCARB contains the active ingredient bethanechol chloride. UROCARB is used to treat
certain disorders of the urinary tract or bladder that may be caused by surgery, delivering
a baby or other conditions.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I taking UROCARB? in the full CMI.
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to bethanechol chloride or any
of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I take UROCARB? in the full CMI.
Some medicines may interfere with UROCARB and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
The usual dose is 1 to 3 tablets, taken three to four times a day. Take UROCARB on
an empty stomach. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water or let them dissolve
under your tongue.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I take UROCARB? in the full CMI.
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking UROCARB.
Be careful when getting up suddenly from a sitting or lying position.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how UROCARB
affects you.
UROCARB may cause dizziness in some people.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep your medicine in a cool, dry place where it stays below 30°C.
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while taking UROCARB? in the full CMI.
Side effects are rare, but are more likely to occur when the dose is increased.
Speak to your doctor if you have any side effects that worry you. Side effects may
include stomach cramps or pain, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, fall in blood pressure
with fast heartbeat, flushed or sweating skin, wheezing or asthma, blurred vision,
urinary urgency or teary eyes.
Seizures have been reported but it is not clear whether these were caused by UROCARB.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
UROCARB®
Active ingredient(s):
bethanechol chloride
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about taking UROCARB. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about taking UROCARB.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
UROCARB contains the active ingredient bethanechol chloride. UROCARB has a similar action to a natural chemical in the body called acetylcholine.
It causes the smooth muscle in the bladder to contract and empty.
UROCARB is used to treat certain disorders of the urinary tract or bladder, such as
urinary retention (trouble urinating) that may be caused by surgery, delivering a
baby or other conditions.
Do not take UROCARB if:
you are allergic to bethanechol chloride, or any of the ingredients listed at the
end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you have asthma
you have an overactive thyroid
you have blocked coronary arteries
you have slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
you have epilepsy or other seizure disorder
you have Parkinson's disease
you have a kidney infection
you have an ulcer, blockage or recent surgery on your stomach or intestines
you have a bladder obstruction
you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
have had a recent bladder or kidney infection
take any medicines for any other condition
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. UROCARB may cause
muscle contractions that could lead to a miscarriage.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with UROCARB and affect how it works. These include:
Cholinergic drugs, especially cholinesterase inhibitors, that block the normal breakdown
of acetylcholine and are most commonly used to treat Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Medicines that affect the parasympathetic nervous system used to treat some conditions
of the gut, eyes, heart or nerve-muscle disorders. These medicines may not work as
effectively when used with UROCARB.
Procainamide or quinidine, medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats.
A group of medicines called ganglionic blocking agents.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect UROCARB.
How much to take
The usual dose is 1 to 3 tablets, taken three to four times a day.
Follow the instructions provided and take UROCARB until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take UROCARB
UROCARB should be taken on an empty stomach as nausea and vomiting could occur if
taken too soon after eating.
How to take UROCARB
Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water or let them dissolve under your tongue.
If you forget to take UROCARB
UROCARB should be taken regularly at the same times each day.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much UROCARB
If you think that you have taken too much UROCARB, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or
(by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Become pregnant while taking this medicine
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking UROCARB.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how UROCARB
affects you.
UROCARB may cause dizziness in some people.
Looking after your medicine
Follow the instructions on the bottle on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place below 30°C, away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for
example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on windowsills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Possible side effects
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Possible side effect
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What to do
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feeling unwell
stomach cramps or pain
urgency to pass urine
nausea
diarrhoea
headache
flushed or sweating skin
wheezing or asthma
blurred vision or teary eyes
seizures
fall in blood pressure with fast heart rate
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Speak to your doctor if you have any side effects and they worry you.
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What UROCARB contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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bethanechol chloride
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose monohydrate
acacia
amaranth
erythrosine
magnesium stearate
wheat starch
hydrogenated vegetable oil
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Potential allergens
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lactose, sugars, gluten
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
