PAPAVERINE

Brand & Generic Names

Cerespan	Pavarine
Genabid	Pavased
Pavabid	Pavatine
Pavabid Plateau Caps	Pavatym
Pavacot	Paverolan
Pavagen

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Vasodilator

Uses

• May improve poor circulation in the extremities or brain.
• Injected into penis to produce erections.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
Extended-release capsules--Swallow whole with liquid.
Injections to penis--Follow doctor's instructions.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Relaxes and expands blood vessel walls, allowing better distribution of oxygen and nutrients.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 to 60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Weakness, fainting, flush, sweating, stupor, irregular heartbeat.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

• Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, flushed face, stomach irritation, indigestion, nausea, mild constipation.
• Dry mouth, throat.

Infrequent:

Rash, itchy skin, blurred or double vision, weakness, fast heartbeat.

Rare:

Jaundice.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to papaverine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
• If you have had a heart attack, heart disease, angina or stroke.
• If you have Parkinson's disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies not done on harm to unborn child. Consult your doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Drug may filter into milk. May harm child. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. If drug does not help in 1 to 2 weeks, consult doctor about discontinuing.

Others:

• Periodic liver function tests recommended.
• Internal eye pressure measurements recommended if you have glaucoma.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Levodopa	Decreased levodopa effect.
Narcotics*	Increased sedation.
Pain relievers*	Increased sedation.
Pergolide	Decreased pergolide effect.
Sedatives*	Increased sedation.
Sympathomimetics*	Reversal of the effect of
	papaverine.
Tranquilizers*	Increased sedation.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased papaverine effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	Decrease in papaverine's dilation
	of blood vessels.