Papaverine During Pregnancy

Papaverine is a medication prescribed to women during pregnancy to reduce uterine tone. It is very important for expectant mothers to know as much as possible about this medication: action, contraindications, and nuances of administration.

Papaverine during pregnancy is an optimal solution if a woman experiences abdominal pain of unclear origin. In this case, one should first consider a condition threatening to the fetus. Although it is far from a miscarriage at this point, urgent actions are necessary.

Is it allowed during pregnancy

This medication is among the few approved drugs that can be taken by pregnant women. The main effect of Papaverine during pregnancy is aimed at:

• normalizing the heart rhythm;
• reducing blood pressure if it spikes sharply;
• decreasing muscle tone;
• relaxing the muscles of the internal organs.

The form of Papaverine administration during pregnancy can vary. Most often, the suppository form is used. The remedy is optimally suited for quickly and effectively restoring uterine tone. In early stages, this can lead to miscarriage, while in later stages, it can result in premature birth.

Uterine muscles cannot relax on their own because the fetus constantly stretches its walls. Due to this, the uterus is under significant tension. Uterine hypertonia is also caused by severe stress and prolonged standing.

Purpose of Papaverine

Many expectant mothers are curious about why papaverine is prescribed during pregnancy. There are several main indications for taking this drug:

• Risk of miscarriage due to high uterine tone. The antispasmodic drug has an emergency effect. Typically, it is prescribed for this purpose in the early stages;
• Improvement of blood circulation. Given that the medication relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, blood pressure becomes significantly lower. This results in improved blood transport to all organs, both in the woman and the child;
• Elevated body temperature — the medication is taken as part of a lytic mixture;
• In the comprehensive treatment of kidney and heart diseases. The medication itself will not eliminate serious problems. However, if the therapy is strengthened with other necessary means, the proper effect will be achieved. This helps with renal colic, mild severe insufficiency, and arterial hypertension.

It should also be taken into account that uterine hypertonicity disrupts the normal functioning of the placenta. Because of this, it can detach or lead to deformation of the blood vessels that nourish the fetus. To improve the situation with uterine tone and relieve spasms, papaverine suppositories are most often prescribed.

The antispasmodic medication reduces blood pressure, improves blood circulation, relaxes uterine muscles, and has a positive effect on the fetus. If a higher dose of the medication is prescribed, an additional calming effect on the central nervous system becomes noticeable, as well as a reduction in the heart muscle rhythm.

In addition to the aforementioned reasons, Papaverine is prescribed in early pregnancy if diagnoses such as cholecystitis, hemorrhoids, endarteritis, and spastic colitis are made.

Action of the Medicinal Product

During pregnancy, Papaverine is completely safe for the fetus, as the medicinal product does not penetrate the placental barrier. The effect of the medication depends in many aspects on the gestational age at which it is taken.

In the first trimester, Papaverine suppositories are recommended if an initial stage of pregnancy is detected, as this increases uterine tone. In the second trimester, the indications for prescribing the medication are intrauterine pain and increased blood pressure. At this stage, the drug is part of a comprehensive therapy with magnesium preparations.

In the third trimester, women experience excessive tension of the uterine walls as well as abdominal hardness. To alleviate this effect, Papaverine is used during pregnancy in the form of suppositories and injections. During labor, the medication can relieve spasmodic pain from contractions. If the dosage of suppositories is observed, no harm will occur.

Contraindications for use

The medication Papaverine is considered safe in early pregnancy for both the woman and her future child. This is especially important in the first trimester, when the list of permissible medications is very limited. As with any medication, there are certain restrictions on its use.

Primarily, they are related to the direct effects of the medication. For instance, the drug relaxes smooth muscle tone, which is found not only in the uterus. This may affect the tone of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and blood vessels. All these factors concerning a woman’s condition are taken into account by the doctor when prescribing the medication.

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The use of Papaverine tablets during pregnancy has several contraindications:

• low blood pressure;
• tendency to constipation;
• increased eye pressure, including glaucoma and other vision impairments;
• exacerbated kidney and liver failure;
• hormonal system disorders;
• tachycardia;
• individual intolerance;
• individual allergic reactions.

There are also a number of situations where Papaverine injections and rectal suppositories are contraindicated: thyroid, liver, kidney and adrenal gland issues, tachycardia, rectal diseases, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, bronchial dysfunction, and intracardiac conduction disorders.

Side Effects

Among the main side effects of Papaverine during early pregnancy are: allergic reactions, constipation, low blood pressure, atrioventricular block, abdominal bloating, nausea, increased liver enzyme activity, impaired food passage through the esophagus. If high doses of the drug are taken, drowsiness, nausea, excessive sweating, and dizziness may occur.

If Papaverine is administered too quickly via an IV, it can cause an irregular heartbeat. An overdose can be identified by double vision, severe weakness, and increased fatigue. In this case, additional detoxifying symptomatic therapy is also conducted.

If Papaverine tablets are used during pregnancy, certain side effects may also occur. This is generally due to exceeding the recommended dosage. Therefore, the medication should only be taken under the proper prescription from a healthcare provider. This is especially important if it is planned for use in the early stages of pregnancy.

Papaverine Administration

Different forms of the medication are used for various cases, each depending on convenience and indications for use:

1. Tablets. One of the simplest and most accessible forms to use. Most of the active ingredient is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, so the effect of taking tablets is quite weak. The drug also quickly leaves the body, so it is recommended to take it up to 4 times a day in the early stages.
2. Suppositories. This form is ideal for pregnancy. One suppository is sufficient vaginally or rectally to increase uterine tone. Typically, a treatment course consists of 10 suppositories, ensuring effective therapy.
3. Solution or Papaverine Hydrochloride. Injections into the buttock yield excellent results when performed in hospital conditions. At home, it is quite difficult to ensure cleanliness and sterility. There is also a risk of infection, which threatens the formation of an abscess.

To ensure the remedy does not cause harm in early stages, it is essential to strictly follow the application instructions. Rectal suppositories should be inserted into the rectum after defecation. It is optimal to do this while lying on your side. The treatment course starts with an active substance concentration of 0.02 g and gradually increases to 0.04 g. It is allowed to use no more than 3 suppositories per day.

If Papaverine injections are necessary, specific instructions must also be followed. These injections can be of different types: subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous. For subcutaneous injections, they are performed in the shoulder or the outer part of the thigh. Intramuscular injections are administered directly into the upper lateral quadrant of the buttock. Before the injection, the ampoule’s content is dissolved in saline solution and introduced very slowly.

If you are interested in how to take Papaverine during pregnancy or have related questions, you should first consult with your doctor. They will explain not only the basic aspects of taking it, but will also advise on how to mitigate possible side effects.

Main aspects of taking the medication

Firstly, many are interested in how much Papaverine can be taken during pregnancy. It must be noted that using this medication uncontrollably is strictly contraindicated. Prolonged use of an antispasmodic medication can provoke cervical dilation and other conditions.

Many are deterred by the fact that there are contraindications to taking the medication. It’s important to note that even the most effective drugs have side effects. In some women, the medication can cause nausea, increased drowsiness, and sweating in the early stages. Additionally, taking the medication is not allowed if you have high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, or thyroid pathologies.

The way Papaverine is administered during pregnancy also plays a role if it is in the form of suppositories. Before the procedure, it is essential to clean the intestines. This can be done naturally or with an enema. Next, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and prepare wet wipes in advance. It’s best to insert rectal suppositories while lying on your side—this minimizes discomfort. The suppository should be inserted to a depth of 2-3 cm.

Alternatives to the medication

Based on the active ingredient, pharmacological action, and the possibility of use during pregnancy, there are several analogs of Papaverine. They can be of both domestic and foreign production. The main alternatives to the medication are: No-Spa, Spasmol, Drotaverine, Pantestin, Spazoverin, Ple-Spa, Noxaverin.

Taking medication should be done only as prescribed by the attending physician. They will comprehensively analyze the whole situation and the condition of the pregnant woman and select not only the optimal medication but also its form of administration.

Conclusions

Papaverine during early pregnancy or even in the second/third trimester is used quite actively. The medication has a favorable effect on maintaining the pregnancy. However, its prescription and administration should be carried out exclusively under a doctor’s supervision. Even though the medication is very safe, there are certain side effects.

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