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Pavagen: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Pavagen - General Information

An alkaloid found in opium but not closely related to the other opium alkaloids in its structure or pharmacological actions. It is a direct-acting smooth muscle relaxant used in the treatment of impotence and as a vasodilator, especially for cerebral vasodilation. The mechanism of its pharmacological actions is not clear, but it apparently can inhibit phosphodiesterases and it may have direct actions on calcium channels. [PubChem]

 

Pharmacology of Pavagen

Pavagen is a nonxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor for the relief of cerebral and peripheral ischemia associated with arterial spasm and myocardial ischemia complicated by arrhythmias. The main actions of Pavagen are exerted on cardiac and smooth muscle. Like qathidine, Pavagen acts directly on the heart muscle to depress conduction and prolong the refractory period. Pavagen relaxes various smooth muscles. This relaxation may be prominent if spasm exists. The muscle cell is not paralyzed by Pavagen and still responds to drugs and other stimuli causing contraction. The antispasmodic effect is a direct one, and unrelated to muscle innervation. Pavagen is practically devoid of effects on the central nervous system. Pavagen relaxes the smooth musculature of the larger blood vessels, especially coronary, systemic peripheral, and pulmonary arteries.

 

Pavagen for patients

 

Pavagen Interactions

No information provided.

 

Pavagen Contraindications

Intravenous injection of papaverine is contraindicated in the presence of complete atrioventricular heart block. When conduction is depressed, the drug may produce transient ectopic rhythms of ventricular origin, either premature beats or paroxysmal tachycardia.

Papaverine hydrochloride is not indicated for the treatment of impotence by intracorporeal injection. The intracorporeal injection of papaverine hydrochloride has been reported to have resulted in persistent priapism requiring medical and surgical intervention.

 

Additional information about Pavagen

Pavagen Indication

For the treatment of impotence

Mechanism Of Action
Perhaps by its direct vasodilating action on cerebral blood vessels, Pavagen increases cerebral blood flow and decreases cerebral vascular resistance in normal subjects; oxygen consumption is unaltered. These effects may explain the benefit reported from the drug in cerebral vascular encephalopathy.
Generic Name
Papaverine
Synonyms
Chlorhydrate de Papaverine; Papavarine Chlorhydrate; Papaverine Chlorohydrate; Papaverine Hcl; Papaverine Hydrochloride; Papaverine Monohydrochloride; Papaverinium Chloride; Papaverin
Drug Category
Vasodilator Agents
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Papaverine
Alapav; Artegodan; Cardiospan; Cardoverina; Cepaverin; Cerebid; Cerespan; Delapav; Dilaves; Dispamil; Drapavel; Durapav; Dynovas; Forpavin; Genabid; Myobid; Optenyl; Pameion; Pamelon; Panergon; Pap H; Papacon; Papalease; Papanerin; Papanerin-Hcl; Papanerine; Papaversan; Papital T.R.; Paptial T.R.; Pavabid; Pavabid Hp; Pavacap; Pavacels; Pavacen; Pavacot; Pavadel; Pavagen; Pavakey; Pavarine; Pavased; Pavatest; Pavatine; Pavatym; Paverolan; Paveron; Pavnell; Qua Bid; Ro-Papav; Robaxapap; Spasmo-Nit; Therapav; Vasal; Vaso-Pav;
Protein Binding
~90%
Half Life
0.5-2 hours
Dosage Forms of Pavagen
Liquid Intravenous
Chemical IUPAC Name
1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline
Chemical Formula
C20H21NO4
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals