About Drotaverine 80 mg Tablet
Drotaverine 80 mg Tablet contains Drotaverine 80 mg. Drotaverine is an antispasmodic medicine. It relaxes the smooth muscle in the walls of the stomach, intestines, bile ducts, urinary tract and womb. It is used to ease cramping pain caused by muscle spasm, such as stomach cramps, painful periods and colic pain from stones.
Uses of Drotaverine 80 mg Tablet
- Cramping stomach and bowel pain caused by muscle spasm
- Painful periods (menstrual cramps)
- Colic pain from gallstones or kidney stones, along with other treatment
- Spasm-related pain in the urinary tract
Benefits
In cramping pain
It relaxes tight, cramping muscles in the abdomen, which eases the pain. It treats the spasm, so your doctor may also look for and treat the cause of the pain.
Side effects
Side effects are uncommon and usually mild. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you.
Common
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dizziness
Get medical help if you notice
- Fast or pounding heartbeat, feeling faint or very dizzy — stop taking it and contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole with water. It can be taken with or without food.
How it works
It blocks an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-4 inside smooth muscle cells. This raises a chemical messenger (cyclic AMP) that makes the muscle relax, which relieves spasm and cramping pain.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol may add to the dizziness some people feel with this medicine. It is best avoided.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
There is not enough information on its use during breastfeeding, so it is generally not recommended. Ask your doctor.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness in some people. Do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. It should not be used in severe kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. It should not be used in severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Get medical help if pain is severe, keeps coming back, or comes with fever, vomiting or blood in stools or urine.
- Tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm problem or very low blood pressure.
- Tell your doctor if you take medicine for Parkinson's disease.
- Do not take more than your doctor prescribed if the pain does not settle; go back for review.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Isoquinoline derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Gastrointestinal / antispasmodic
- Action class
- Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor (smooth muscle relaxant)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Levodopa (for Parkinson's disease) | Drotaverine may reduce how well levodopa works |
| Other antispasmodic medicines | May add to the effects; use together only if your doctor advises |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Drotaverine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling)). Pharmacist review pending.