Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Methantheline is a synthetic quarternary ammonium antimuscarinic used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. It is indicated for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, gastritis, biliary dyskinesia, pylorosplasm, and reflex neurogenic bladder in children. It can be used together with antacids or other medicines, such as H2-receptor antagonists, in the treatment of peptic ulcer. Methantheline bromide (diethyl-methyl [2-(9 xanthenyl carbonyloxy) ethyl] ammonium bromide) is marketed to treat neurogenic bladder instability. In comparison with atropine, it influences the parasympathetic nervous transmission more by ganglionic rather than peripheral muscarinic receptor blockade. Methantheline inhibits the muscarinic actions of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves as well as on smooth muscles that respond to acetylcholine but lack cholinergic innervation. Clinical effects after single therapeutic doses of 50-100 mg last for about 6 hours which is longer than after atropine. The drug relaxes smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tract. Furthermore, it inhibits bronchial, salivary and sweat glands secretion, lowers the production of gastric juice and disturbs accommodation. A recent randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study using a new commercial preparation of methantheline bromide (Vagantin, Germany) demonstrated significant sweat reduction and was evaluated as is an effective and safe treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.   ^NCATS