Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names:

Generic Name: papaverine (injection) (Pronunciation: pa PAV er een)

• What is papaverine injection ()?
• What are the possible side effects of papaverine injection ()?
• What is the most important information I should know about papaverine injection ()?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive papaverine injection ()?
• How is papaverine injection given ()?
• What happens if I miss a dose ()?
• What happens if I overdose ()?
• What should I avoid while receiving papaverine injection ()?
• What other drugs will affect papaverine injection ()?
• Where can I get more information?

What is papaverine injection ()?

Papaverine injection is a vasodilator that works by relaxing smooth muscles in your blood vessels to help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows blood to flow more easily through your veins and arteries.

Papaverine injection is used to treat many conditions that cause spasm of smooth muscle, including heart attack, chest pain, circulation problems, or disorders of the stomach or gallbladder.

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

What are the possible side effects of papaverine injection ()?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• low fever, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling in your face;
• swelling, pain, or irritation around the IV needle;
• fast heart rate; or
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea or stomach discomfort;
• constipation, diarrhea;
• mild skin rash;
• tired feeling;
• headache; or
• increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to papaverine injection, or have a certain heart condition called AV heart block.

If possible, before you receive papaverine injection tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, liver disease, Parkinson's disease, or if you are using levodopa (Larodopa, Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet).

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about any health conditions you have or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to drowsiness caused by papaverine injection.

Serious side effects of papaverine injection include nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), redness or tingling in your face, fast heart rate, skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness, or swelling or pain around the IV needle.