Papaverine is an opiate alkaloid used in the primary treatment of visceral spasms, cardiac and cerebral vasospasms, and occasionally for the treatment of erectile dysfunction [1]. Although found in opium poppy, papaverine differs both in structure and pharmacological action for opioid analgesics, morphine and related substances [2].

Papaverine is used to treat gastrointestinal tract spasms, bile ducts, ureters as a cerebral and coronary vasodilator, subarachnoid hemorrhage [3] and a coronary artery bypass [4]. Papaverine is used as a smooth muscle relaxant in microsurgery if it is applied directly to blood vessels. In the treatment of erectile dysfunction, a papaverine gel has recently been used [5]. Also, in combination with other drugs, it is commonly used in cryopreservation of blood vessels [6, 7].

Papaverine is a direct relaxing smooth muscle, which is attributed to its ability to inhibit phosphodiesterase. It can be administered for peripheral cerebral and coronary circulation. It can also be used for vascular disorders, for gastrointestinal disorders as an antispasmodic and against cough. However, its use for the latest recommendations should be regarded with caution [8].

For these reasons, the determination of papaverine in urine samples is very important [2]. Identification is preferably by GC-MS or HPLC-MS chromatographic techniques [9].

Date Published: 31 December 2018
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 10977, Advanced Topics in Optoelectronics, Microelectronics, and Nanotechnologies IX, 109773O (31 December 2018); doi: 10.1117/12.2501260

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10977:
Advanced Topics in Optoelectronics, Microelectronics, and Nanotechnologies IX
Marian Vladescu; Razvan D. Tamas; Ionica Cristea, Editor(s)