Papaverine (pronounced /p??pæv?ri?n/ [ 1 ] ) is an opium alkaloid used primarily in the treatment of visceral spasm , vasospasm (especially those involving the heart and the brain ), and occasionally in the treatment of erectile dysfunction . more

Papaverine (pronounced /p??pæv?ri?n/ [ 1 ] ) is an opium alkaloid used primarily in the treatment of visceral spasm , vasospasm (especially those involving the heart and the brain ), and occasionally in the treatment of erectile dysfunction . While it is found in the opium poppy , papaverine differs in both structure and pharmacological action from the other opium alkaloids ( opiates ). In 1979, a Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee evaluated studies on papaverine and concluded that there was a lack of objective data to support the therapeutic use of papaverine for these conditions. Papaverine remains available despite the committee's recommendation that it be withdrawn from the market. less