Papaverine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Cerespan, Genabid, Pavabid, Pavabid HP, Pavacels, Pavacot, Pavagen, Pavarine, Pavased, Pavatine, Pavatym, Paverolan

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For papaverine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to papaverine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether papaverine passes into the breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of papaverine in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Papaverine may reduce tolerance to cold temperatures in elderly patients.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, or if you smoke.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of papaverine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Angina (chest pain) or
• Glaucoma or
• Heart disease or
• Myocardial infarction (``heart attack''), recent, or
• Stroke, recent - The chance of unwanted effects may be increased