Definition of papaverine in English:
papaverine
noun pəˈpavərʌɪnpəˈpeɪvərʌɪnpəˈpavəriːnpəˈpeɪvəriːn
mass nounChemistry A compound present in opium used medicinally to alleviate muscle spasm and asthma.
An alkaloid; chemical formula: C₂₀H₂₁NO₄
Example sentencesExamples
- The alkaloid was first synthesized by Pictet and Gams in 1909, and as the amount of papaverine obtained from opium is small, the synthetic route remains the source of this compound up to the present day.
- A second approach has employed intracavernosal injection of papaverine, a vasoactive agent that induces erection and has been associated most with the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
- A 4-mg solution of papaverine is used to irrigate vessels in the event of vasospasms.
- In non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia, infusion of an intra-arterial vasodilator such as papaverine into the superior mesenteric artery may be all that is needed to reverse vasoconstriction and prevent bowel infarction.
- Another drug commonly given through injections is papaverine, which has the same effect of widening the blood vessels.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Latin papaver 'poppy' + -ine4.