Papaverine

Other Names 1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-6,7-dimethoxyisochinoline, papaverin, papaverina, papaverine Substance type: opium alkaloid Papaverine is a component of opium (0.3 to 0.80/0) and was named after the genus Papaver (cf. Papaver somniferum). Papaverine has very weak psychoactive properties but is a powerful vasodilator. Effective dosages start at 200 mg. An extract of Nuphar lutea has similar effects. In recent years, papaverine has been used to treat impotence, often with good success (Mellinger et al. 1987). When used for this purpose, the substance is injected directly into the corpus cavernosum when the penis is flaccid (so-called SKAT therapy; cf. Ernst et al. 1993). Among the problems that this method may cause are painful priapism (persistent erections for up to thirty-six hours without sexual arousal!) and inflammation of the penis (Sanders 1985). Commercial Forms and Regulations The substance, available as papaverine hydrochloride, is sold in suppository form and in solution for injection. Papaverine is available only with a prescription.

Literature See also the entries for Papaver somniferum and opium alkaloids. Ernst, Gunter, Hans Finck, and Dieter Weinert. 1993. Dem Manne kann geholfen werden. Munich: Ehrenwirth. Mellinger, Brett C., E. Darracott Vaughan, Stephen L. Thompson, and Marc Goldstein. 1987. Correlation between intracavernous papaverine injection and Doppler analysis in impotent men. Urology 30 (5): 416-19. Porst, H. 1996. Orale und intracavernose Pharmakotherapie. TW Urologie Nephrologie 8 (2): 88-94. Sanders, Kevin. 1985. 30-Stunden Erektion. Penthouse 4/85:65-68, 196, 200. Schnyder von Wartensee, M., A. Sieber, and U. E. Studer. 1988. Therapie der erektilen Dysfunktion mit Papaverin-21h Jahre Erfahrung. Schweizer medizinische Wochenschrift 118 (30): 1099-1103.