Papaverine
About
Papaverine belongs to the group of medicines called vasodilators used to treat circulatory problems, visceral spasms (gastrointestinal colic, urinary tract and biliary spasms), peripheral vascular disease, vascular spasm associated with angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, pulmonary and peripheral embolism. Additionally, Papaverine is also used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Papaverine contains ‘Papaverine’, which works by relaxing the blood vessels; this helps the blood to flow easily to the heart and through the body. Thereby, Papaverine helps improve the blood flow in patients with circulatory problems. Papaverine exerts a spasmolytic effect by relaxing the smooth muscles. Thereby, helps in treating smooth muscle spasms. Papaverine helps to treat erectile dysfunction by relaxing the smooth muscles and increasing the blood flow to the penis.
In some cases, you may experience common side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, constipation, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Papaverine may cause dizziness and drowsiness, so drive with caution. Avoid consuming alcohol as it might cause increased dizziness. Papaverine should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and the medicines you are taking to avoid unpleasant side effects/interactions.
Uses of Papaverine
Medicinal Benefits
Papaverine belongs to the group of medicines called vasodilators. It is used to treat circulatory problems, visceral spasms (gastrointestinal colic, urinary tract and biliary spasms), peripheral vascular disease, vascular spasms associated with angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary and peripheral embolism. Additionally, Papaverine is also used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). Papaverine works by relaxing the blood vessels; this helps the blood to flow easily to the heart and through the body. Thereby, Papaverine helps improve the blood flow in patients with circulatory problems. Papaverine is a non-specific, direct-acting smooth muscle relaxant causing a vasodilating effect on the blood vessels and other smooth muscle systems. Papaverine exerts a spasmolytic effect by relaxing the smooth muscles. Papaverine helps to treat erectile dysfunction by relaxing the smooth muscles and increasing the blood flow to the penis. Papaverine may also be used to control high blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Papaverine
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Flushing (warmth, tingly feeling, or redness)
- Tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Papaverine if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have severe heart failure, myocardial infarction, heart attack, heart rhythm disorders, and intracranial hypertension. Inform your doctor if you have heart disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Papaverine may cause dizziness and drowsiness, so drive with caution. Avoid consuming alcohol as it might cause increased dizziness. Papaverine should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Papaverine may have interaction with anti-Parkinson’s (levodopa), smoking cessation agent (nicotine), opioid analgesic (morphine), calcium antagonists, hypotensive agents, and CNS depressants.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have severe heart failure, myocardial infarction, heart attack, heart rhythm disorders, intracranial hypertension, or liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are advised not to consume alcohol while on treatment with Papaverine as it might cause increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionConsult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will decide if Papaverine can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionPapaverine may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Therefore you are advised to drive and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPapaverine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafePapaverine should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Muscle spasms:
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- Avoid extremely cold and hot temperatures.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes; instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Hot or cold therapy can be helpful for treating muscle spasms. Apply an ice-pack or hot-pack on the muscle for 15-20 minutes.
- Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of water.
Circulatory problems:
- Include fruits, vegetables, and fibre-rich whole grains in the diet.
- Avoid high-calorie foods, sauces and sugars.
- Limit consumption of alcohol.
- Avoid tobacco.
Erectile dysfunction:
- Maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol, as consuming an excessive amount of alcohol might temporarily impair your ability to get an erection.
- Avoid the usage of tobacco.
- Share intimate time with your partner.
- Stay sexually active to prevent problems with erectile dysfunction.
Special Advise
- Papaverine might alter liver function test results. Inform the person doing the tests that you are on treatment with Papaverine.
- Regular liver function tests and blood tests are advised for people on chronic treatment with Papaverine.
- If you are due to have any surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor/dentist that you are on treatment with Papaverine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Smooth muscle spasms: A muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty in moving, and pain in affected muscles and joints.
Circulatory problems: The circulatory system is responsible for sending blood, oxygen and nutrients to various body parts. When blood flow to any specific body part is reduced, it could lead to poor circulation. Symptoms include numbness, tingling sensation, pain, muscle cramps, and throbbing or stinging pain in limbs.
Peripheral vascular disease: It is a blood circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels outside the brain and heart to narrow and block. The narrowed blood vessels cause reduced blood flow. It could occur due to the deposition of fat and calcium on the walls of the arteries. Symptoms include pain in the leg, especially while walking.
Erectile dysfunction: It is the inability to keep a hard and erect penis suitable for sexual intercourse. It could be a sign of physical or psychological conditions such as fear of sexual failure, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or stress. Certain health-related factors such as smoking, drinking, being overweight, being physically inactive, and having high blood pressure also contribute to erectile dysfunction. Symptoms include difficulty in getting an erection, decreased sexual desire, and difficulty in maintaining the erection during intercourse.
FAQs
Papaverine works by relaxing the blood vessels; this helps the blood to flow easily to the heart and through the body. Thereby, Papaverine helps in improving the blood flow in patients with circulatory problems.
Papaverine helps treat erectile dysfunction by causing direct smooth muscle relaxation and increasing the blood flow to the penis with blood, resulting in an erection.
Papaverine might cause priapism (prolonged erection). Consult a doctor immediately if the erection lasts for more than 4 hours.
Papaverine is a non-specific, direct-acting smooth muscle relaxant causing a vasodilating effect on the blood vessels and other smooth muscle systems. Papaverine exerts a spasmolytic effect by relaxing the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal, bronchial, urinary tract, and biliary smooth muscles. Thereby, helps in treating muscle spasms.
Postural hypotension could be a side-effect of Papaverine. Postural hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking; instead, lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People on treatment with Papaverine are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
