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What exactly is drotaverine, what is the use? Drotaverine is an isoquinoline derivative that has a spasmolytic or diastolic effect on smooth muscles regardless of their location. It is recommended when it is necessary to relax muscles in the genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system.
Drotaverine belongs to the group of isoquinoline derivatives which have a relaxant effect. The indication for the use of drugs containing drotaverine is primarily the need to relax the smooth muscles in the bile ducts, the urogenital system, the digestive system and the circulatory system. Drotaverine is also used when blood vessels need to be dilated, which causes the blood to flow faster and reach the tissues.
Drotaverine – properties
Drotaverine is exactly a derivative of papaverine. However, the effect of drotaverine is not only stronger, its absorption is faster and much more complete. According to specialists, drotaverine causes fewer side effects with constant intake. Drotaverine in drugs is most often found in the form of a salt – drotaverine hydrochloride. It is an over-the-counter product in dosages of 40 and 80 mg, as well as a prescription injection solution at a dose of 20 mg / ml.
What are the exact indications for the use of drotaverine? The agent is recommended primarily in all muscle contractions, for example in:
- inflammation of the gallbladder
- urolithiasis
- inflammation of the bile ducts
- ureterolithiasis
- kidney stones
- inflammation of the bladder
- inflammation of the renal pelvis
- with painful urge to urinate
Drotaverine can also be used as an adjunct in:
- irritable bowel syndrome
- spastic constipation
- with flatulence
- gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer
- inflammation of the intestines, pancreas, colon, stomach
Sometimes drotaverine is recommended for women with dysmenorrhea. The agent is also used in recurrent migraine headaches and vascular pains.
The dosage and its frequency must be in accordance with the recommendations of the treating physician or the information provided in the package leaflet. The daily dose that can be taken is 120-240 mg, it cannot be given as a single dose, but must be divided into 2-3 doses. Drotaverine cannot be used in children under 12 years of age. In older children and adolescents, the daily dose is 160 mg, which must be divided into 2 – 4 times.
Drotaverine – contraindications
The main contraindications to the use of drotaverine include allergy or hypersensitivity to the ingredient. Drotaverine should not be taken by patients with suspected or confirmed severe renal or hepatic insufficiency or cardiovascular disorders. It is also not recommended that drotaverine be used by patients with cardiac dysfunction, for example with second and third degree atrioventricular heart block. Particular caution should also be exercised in patients with hypotension, because in this group there have been no studies confirming or excluding side effects in patients using the drug.
It is very important to note that Drotaverine crosses the placenta very quickly, so it should not be taken by pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy, as the risk of perinatal hemorrhage increases.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.