Papaverine (By injection)
pa-PAV-er-een
Treats angina, heart problems, and blood vessel problems by relaxing muscles and blood vessels. Also used to relax other muscles, such as the ones in the digestive system.
Drug classes
Peripheral Vasodilator (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Papaverine belongs to the group of medicines called vasodilators. Vasodilators cause blood vessels to expand, thereby increasing blood flow. Papaverine is used to produce erections in some men with erectile dysfunction. When papaverine is injected into the penis (intracavernosal), it increases blood flow to the penis, which results in an erection.
Papaverine injection should not be used as a sexual aid by men who do not have erectile dysfunction. If the medicine is not used properly, permanent damage to the penis and loss of the ability to have erections could result.
Papaverine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, papaverine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Low doses of a three-drug combination of papaverine, phentolamine, and alprostadil as an injection may be used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and how often you should receive this medicine.
This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins or as a shot into one of your muscles.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have heart rhythm problems. You should not use this medicine if you have trouble having sex (in men).
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have glaucoma or liver disease.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dark colored urine.
Fast heartbeat.
Severe diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
Yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Constipation, nausea, mild abdominal pain, or loss of appetite.
Drowsiness or dizziness.
Headache, body aches, sweating, or weakness.
Pain, itching, burning, or swelling under your skin where the medicine was given.
Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug