A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of bethanechol was conducted in
26 elderly depressed patients being treated with nortriptyline. Patients
receiving bethanechol had reduced subjective complaints of anticholinergic
side effects and showed a trend toward improvement on an objective measure
of salivary flow. The potential use of bethanechol in older patients to
reduce morbidity and improve compliance with medication regimens is
discussed.Abstract Teaser