Papaverine (Systemic)

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

Proper Use of This Medicine

If this medicine upsets your stomach, it may be taken with meals, milk, or antacids.

For patients taking the extended-release capsule form of this medicine:

• Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing. However, if the capsule is too large to swallow, you may mix the contents with jam or jelly and swallow without chewing.

Dosing - The dose of papaverine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of papaverine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:

• For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
  • Adults: 150 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours. The dose may be increased to 150 mg every eight hours or 300 mg every twelve hours.
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • Adults: 100 to 300 mg three to five times a day.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults: 30 to 120 mg every three hours injected slowly into the muscle or vein.
  • Children: 1.5 mg per kilogram (0.68 mg per pound) of body weight four times a day injected into the muscle or vein.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.