Pavacot (Oral)

Papaverine is part of a group of medicines known as vasodilators. Vasodilators help widen blood vessels, which increases blood flow. This medicine is used to treat issues caused by poor blood circulation.

Papaverine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It may take some time for this medicine to work. If you feel that the medicine is not working, do not stop taking it on your own. Instead, check with your doctor.

The helpful effects of this medicine may be decreased if you smoke. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Dizziness may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position or climb stairs. Getting up slowly may help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you have, such as those to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

There is no specific information comparing the use of papaverine in children to other age groups, but it is not expected to cause different side effects or issues in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Papaverine may reduce tolerance to cold temperatures in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines should not be used together. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these situations, your doctor may need to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are significant and may not include all possibilities.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Bepridil
• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Levoketoconazole
• Piperaquine
• Riociguat
• Terfenadine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Adagrasib
• Amiodarone
• Amisulpride
• Apomorphine
• Aripiprazole Lauroxil
• Atazanavir
• Buprenorphine
• Ceritinib
• Chloroquine
• Citalopram
• Clofazimine
• Clothiapine
• Clozapine
• Crizotinib
• Dabrafenib
• Dasatinib
• Deutetrabenazine
• Dexmedetomidine
• Efavirenz
• Encorafenib
• Entrectinib
• Escitalopram
• Etrasimod
• Fexinidazole
• Fingolimod
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Formoterol
• Foscarnet
• Fostemsavir
• Gepirone
• Glasdegib
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Hydroxyzine
• Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
• Ivosidenib
• Ketoconazole
• Lefamulin
• Lenvatinib
• Leuprolide
• Lofexidine
• Macimorelin
• Methadone
• Metronidazole
• Mirtazapine
• Mobocertinib
• Nilotinib
• Olanzapine
• Osilodrostat
• Osimertinib
• Oxaliplatin
• Ozanimod
• Pacritinib
• Paroxetine
• Phenobarbital
• Pimavanserin
• Pitolisant
• Ponesimod
• Posaconazole
• Primidone
• Quetiapine
• Quizartinib
• Relugolix
• Ribociclib
• Selpercatinib
• Sertraline
• Siponimod
• Solifenacin
• Sotalol
• Sulpiride
• Sunitinib
• Tacrolimus
• Trazodone
• Triclabendazole
• Vardenafil
• Vemurafenib
• Vilanterol
• Vinflunine
• Voclosporin
• Zuclopenthixol

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both might be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Ginkgo

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken near the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you can use this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Angina (chest pain) or
• Glaucoma or
• Heart disease or
• Recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or
• Recent stroke—The chance of unwanted effects may be increased.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will happen, but if they do, you may need medical help.

Check with your doctor right away if you experience any of the following side effects:

Rare

• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• blurred or double vision
• change in ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• decreased appetite
• deep, slow breathing
• drowsiness
• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• insomnia
• itching
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• painful or prolonged erection of the penis
• skin rash
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• trouble with breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects last or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• feeling of constant movement of yourself or your surroundings
• flushed face
• itching skin
• nervousness
• palpitations
• pounding in the ears
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• slow or fast heartbeat

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Papacon
• Para-Time S.R.
• Pavacot

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 capsule 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 this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• 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 milligrams (mg) three to five times a day.

Missed Dose

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

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.