DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Papaverine Injection (pa-PAV-er-een)
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Papaverine is used for:

Treating certain conditions that are accompanied by smooth muscle spasms (eg, blood vessel, urinary, gallbladder, or intestinal spasm). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Papaverine is a vasodilating agent. It works by relaxing certain muscles (smooth muscle).

Do NOT use Papaverine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Papaverine
• you have complete heart block

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Papaverine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Papaverine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have glaucoma, liver problems, or other heart problems (eg, angina, insufficiency, heart block, recent heart attack)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Papaverine . However, no specific interactions with Papaverine are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Papaverine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Papaverine :

Use Papaverine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Papaverine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Papaverine at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Papaverine contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Papaverine , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Papaverine .

Important safety information:

• Papaverine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Papaverine . Using Papaverine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Use Papaverine with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Papaverine , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Papaverine during pregnancy. It is unknown if Papaverine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Papaverine , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Papaverine . This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. Do not exceed the recommended dose or use Papaverine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.

Possible side effects of Papaverine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; pain, swelling, or redness at injection site; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); excessive drowsiness; fast or irregular heartbeat; prolonged or severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include anxiety; blurred vision; breathing difficulty; coma; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of coordination or unsteady movement; seizures; severe or prolonged headache or stomach upset; skin rash; uncontrolled eye movement; unusual drowsiness; vision changes; weakness.

Proper storage of Papaverine :

Papaverine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Papaverine at home, store Papaverine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Papaverine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Papaverine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Papaverine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Papaverine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.