What is papaverine used for?
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.
What drug class is papaverine?
Papaverine (Latin papaver, “poppy”) is an opium alkaloid antispasmodic drug, used primarily in the treatment of visceral spasm and vasospasm (especially those involving the intestines, heart, or brain), and occasionally in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Is papaverine still used?
Papaverine is used to improve blood flow in patients with circulation problems. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily to the heart and through the body. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Does papaverine increase blood pressure?
Papaverine is a vasodilator that relaxes 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.
What is the mechanism of action of papaverine?
The mechanism of action appears to be due to inhibition of the enzyme phosphodiesterase, causing an elevation of cyclic AMP levels. Side effects of papaverine treatment include arterial hypotension, ventricular tachycardia, flushing of the face, tachycardia, and paradoxical aggravation of cerebral vasospasm.
How long does papaverine last?
The erection usually starts between 5 to 10 minutes after the injection and the erection usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours.
What type of antagonist is papaverine?
Papaverine is an inhibitor of PDE enzyme leading to increase cGMP in penile tissue. The major disadvantage of papaverine is corporal fibrozis thought to be a result of low acidity. Phentolamine is an α-receptor antagonist that increases blood flow. Systemic hypotension and tachycardia are its major adverse effects.
Is papaverine an alpha blocker?
Intracavernous Injection (ICI) Papaverine is an inhibitor of PDE enzyme leading to increase cGMP in penile tissue. The major disadvantage of papaverine is corporal fibrozis thought to be a result of low acidity. Phentolamine is an α-receptor antagonist that increases blood flow.
Is papaverine used for erectile dysfunction?
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.