$Unique_ID{BRK02070}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PAPAVERINE}
$Subject{Cerespan (Rorer)
papaverine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
Pavabid HP Capsulet (Marion)
Pavabid Plateau (Marion)
Pavacen Cenules (Central)
Pavagen (Rugby)
Pavarine Spancaps (Vortech)
Pavased (Hauck)
Pavatym (Everett)
Paverolan Lanacaps (Lannett)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PAPAVERINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Cerespan (Rorer)
     papaverine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
     Pavabid HP Capsulet (Marion)
     Pavabid Plateau (Marion)
     Pavacen Cenules (Central)
     Pavagen (Rugby)
     Pavarine Spancaps (Vortech)
     Pavased (Hauck)
     Pavatym (Everett)
     Paverolan Lanacaps (Lannett)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Vasodilator
INGREDIENT:
     papaverine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (30 mg, 60 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg)
     Sustained-release capsules (150 mg)
     Sustained-release tablets (200 mg)
STORAGE:
     Papaverine should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
       container.

USES

     Papaverine is used to treat circulation disorders.  It is a vasodilator
that acts directly on the muscle tissues of blood vessels to increase blood
supply to various parts of the body.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach irritation, you can take papaverine with food
or with a full glass of water or milk.  Ask your doctor if you can take it
with an antacid.
     The sustained-release capsules should be swallowed whole.  Breaking,
crushing, or chewing these capsules destroys their sustained-release activity
and possibly increases the side effects.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Abdominal distress, blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness,
drowsiness, fatigue, flushing, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, or
sweating.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
depression, difficulty in breathing, palpitations, rash, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Concurrent use of papaverine and levodopa can lead to decreased
effectiveness of levodopa.
     Before starting to take papaverine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
medications you are currently taking, especially levodopa.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to papaverine.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever had angina, glaucoma,
heart block, liver disease, low or high blood pressure, a heart attack, or
Parkinson's disease.
     * A government panel has recently reviewed the effectiveness of this
medication in the treatment of hardening of the arteries and leg cramps and in
the prevention of stroke.  This drug may not be as effective as once thought.
Discuss this with your physician.
     * Before taking any over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold,
allergy, asthma, sinus, or diet medication, check with your doctor or
pharmacist.  Some of these products can decrease the effectiveness of
papaverine.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * The beneficial effects of this medication may be decreased by the
nicotine in cigarettes.  Try to stop smoking.
     * To prevent dizziness and fainting while taking this medication, avoid
drinking large quantities of alcohol, and try not to get overheated (avoid
strenuous exercise in hot weather and do not take hot baths, showers, and
saunas).
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although papaverine
appears to be safe, extensive studies in pregnant women have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.  It is not known
whether papaverine passes into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
