Apraclonidine Hydrochloride and Bethanechol Chloride

• Generic Name: apraclonidine ophthalmic
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Iopidine

Apraclonidine 1% is used prophylactically to prevent or reduce intraoperative and postoperative increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after ocular laser surgery (e.g., argon laser trabeculoplasty, argon laser iridotomy, neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet [Nd:YAG] laser posterior capsulotomy).

Apraclonidine 0.5% is used for short-term (<1 month) adjunctive therapy in patients with open-angle glaucoma receiving maximally tolerated drug therapy (i.e., a topical β-adrenergic blocking agent in conjunction with a systemically administered carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a sympathomimetic and/or a parasympathomimetic agent) who require additional reduction in IOP.

• Generic Name: bethanechol
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Duvoid, Urecholine

Treatment of acute postoperative and postpartum nonobstructive urinary retention and neurogenic atony of the bladder with retention.

Preferred agent to other parasympathomimetic drugs because of its relatively localized effect on the urinary tract and relative lack of adverse cardiovascular effects.

Has been shown to produce symptomatic improvement and decrease antacid use in some patients with chronic refractory heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including vagotomized and antrectomized patients. However, use has decreased because of adverse CNS effects; acid suppression therapy with other agents (e.g., proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2-receptor antagonists) is principally used.