papaverine Health Article

Generic name(s):

papaverine

Brand name(s):

Papacon, Para-Time S. R., Pavabid Plateau, Pavacot, Pavagen

What is the most important information I should know about papaverine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Papaverine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. If you experience dizziness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking papaverine.

Notify your doctor if you experience especially bothersome sweating, rash, flushing, headache, tiredness, yellowing of your skin, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, or constipation.

What is papaverine?

Papaverine is in a class of drugs called vasodilators. Papaverine relaxes veins and arteries, which makes them wider and allows blood to pass through them more easily. These actions may help to increase the amount of oxygen-rich blood in your brain, heart, and muscles.

Papaverine may also be useful in treating conditions involving spasms of the intestines and urinary tract.

Papaverine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take papaverine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• heart disease or irregular heartbeats,

• liver disease,

• glaucoma, or

• Parkinson's disease.

You may not be able to take papaverine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Papaverine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether papaverine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take papaverine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether papaverine passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take papaverine?

Take papaverine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. The regular-release form of papaverine is usually taken three to five times a day. The timed-release tablets and capsules are usually taken two or three times a day (every 8 to 12 hours). Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not crush, chew, break, or open the timed-release tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body. Store papaverine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a papaverine overdose include drowsiness, weakness, double vision, poor coordination, headache, blue-colored lips or skin, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking papaverine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Papaverine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. If you experience dizziness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking papaverine. Do not crush, chew, break, or open the timed-release tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. These are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.