The author describes the use of bethanechol chloride to relieve side
effects, including salivary inactivation, constipation, and bladder
inhibition, which result from the anticholinergic action of tricyclic
antidepressants. He suggests that the use of cholinergic medication during
antidepressant therapy may extend the use of the tricyclics to patients who
find anticholinergic side effects especially troublesome.
Abstract Teaser