Papaverine during pregnancy

During pregnancy, medications should be taken carefully, only as directed by a doctor. There are situations when drugs are needed. For example, papaverine during pregnancy helps to relieve the tone of the uterus, prevent the threat of termination. The tool comes in various forms, each of which is designed to solve specific problems. In what form and dosage to use the drug – we will tell in the article.

Is it possible Papaverine during pregnancy

Medicines that the expectant mother takes can negatively affect the fetus and the course of pregnancy. Some names can even cause congenital malformations. Therefore, they should be used carefully, only after consulting a doctor, especially in the early stages, when the baby’s organs are being formed.

The instructions indicate that the benefits and safety of papaverine during early pregnancy and 2, 3 trimesters have not been proven. But the experience of many doctors and women suggests that with the right approach, the medicine is effective and does not lead to complications. It is necessary to follow the recommendations of the attending physician, take into account the general condition of the body and concomitant pathology so that therapy does not harm the woman and her baby.

Obstetrician-gynecologists prescribe therapy in the early stages to prevent interruption, and later – to reduce the tone. The drug can be combined with other agents to enhance the effect. Due to the antispasmodic effect, it is indicated for abdominal pain associated with disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, and respiratory tract.

Why is papaverine prescribed during pregnancy?

It is indicated for hypertonicity of the uterus in the early stages. In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, it also relieves tone. In addition, it softens the cervix, due to which the opening in the 1st stage of labor occurs without rupture. And when labor begins, the remedy relieves pain that occurs during labor.

There are other indications:

• abdominal pain due to pathology of the gastrointestinal tract – with a functional bowel disorder with diarrhea or constipation, bloating, loose stools, cholecystitis, intestinal infections;
• headaches – due to cerebral vasospasm;
• bronchospasm, which is manifested by coughing, shortness of breath;
• fever with vasospasm and pale skin color – this condition is called “white” fever;
• spasm of the urinary tract with inflammation.

Papaverine during early pregnancy is a temporary measure. The drug does not eliminate the cause of the threat of interruption and does not cure other illnesses. It only relieves symptoms and relieves the patient’s condition. A thorough examination should be carried out and the provoking factor should be identified: hormonal imbalance, stress, concomitant pathology, inflammation, infection, and eliminate them. For example, toxicosis, Rh-conflict, stress, excessively active sexual intercourse, physical activity, diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems can lead to the threat of interruption.

How does it work

The active ingredient is papaverine hydrochloride. There are receptors for it in smooth muscle muscles. These are the stomach, intestines, blood and lymph vessels, bronchi, lungs, urethra, as well as the cervix and uterus.

By changing the activity of enzymes involved in the contraction of muscle fibers, it leads to relaxation of smooth muscles. The action extends to all organs whose walls contain smooth muscle – this fact must be taken into account when prescribing. The agent affects the central nervous system and myocardium only in large doses.

Thus, the action of papaverine during pregnancy is associated with its antispasmodic effect, relaxation of the muscles of the uterus, and a decrease in its tone. In the absence of a threat, it is used when it is necessary to relieve pain caused by spasm in the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and urinary system. After the elimination of spasms, the painful sensations disappear, the function of the organ is restored.

If there is a spasm of the blood vessels, the pressure rises. Papaverine pills or injections help lower blood pressure, restore normal blood circulation, and prevent vascular accidents – stroke and heart attack.

Contraindications

In the following cases, papaverine is contraindicated during pregnancy:

• an allergic reaction to the components of the product;
• dysfunction of the liver – hepatitis, liver failure and other diseases. In these cases, the elimination of the drug is impaired, it accumulates in the body and has a toxic effect;
• glaucoma – increased intraocular pressure. Treatment with an antispasmodic can cause an even greater increase in pressure: the pupil dilates, which is an obstacle to the outflow of intraocular fluid from the chambers of the eye;
• disruption of the heart, such as atrioventricular block.

In any case, the use of papaverine tablets during pregnancy is possible only after consulting a doctor. Especially if there is a concomitant pathology – impaired function of the kidneys, digestive and endocrine organs, cardiovascular system (low blood pressure).

Side effects

As with all remedies, papaverine has side effects during early pregnancy.

These include:

• allergic reactions – rash, sneezing, lacrimation, urticaria, edema, bronchospasm;
• lowering blood pressure – which is especially dangerous when the patient initially has hypotension;
• constipation, which is manifested by stool retention, pain, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen;
• extrasystoles – usually occurs when the dosage is exceeded;
• headache;
• nausea;
• excessive sweating.

If the above symptoms appear, you need to interrupt therapy and immediately seek medical help: even a harmless allergic rash in a matter of minutes can develop into bronchospasm or Quincke’s edema, which require emergency measures. Further tactics are determined by a specialist.

Overdose if the instructions and doctor’s recommendations are not followed is possible. It manifests itself as weakness, dizziness, nausea, double vision, drowsiness and low blood pressure. Tactics in case of an overdose is gastric lavage (if the drug was taken in the form of tablets), the appointment of sorbents that “collect” the substance and remove it from the body, infusion therapy.

How to take papaverine during pregnancy

One of the important points that affects the effectiveness of the drug is the regimen and dosage. How much papaverine can be used during pregnancy – we will analyze further.

Suppositories

Rectal papaverine suppositories begin to act quickly, so they can be used when it is necessary to immediately remove uterine hypertonicity. They are used at home. Due to the rich venous network of the rectum, the active substance almost immediately begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream. At the same time, dissolution is slow, the drug enters the body gradually. Thus, the effect lasts a long time.

Papaverine suppositories are safe, overdose is excluded, but you should consult your doctor before use. The specialist will select the dosage based on the specific situation. Usually 2 or 3 candles are prescribed per day.

How to put papaverine suppositories during pregnancy? It is used rectally: after cleansing the intestines, suppositories are injected into the rectum in the supine position. If you have difficulty, you can use petroleum jelly to facilitate administration. After manipulation, you need to lie down for a few minutes.

Suppositories are not intended for vaginal administration. The active substance from the rectum enters the bloodstream, from there it is carried to all organs, including the myometrium of the uterus.

Store suppositories in a dark place where children cannot reach, at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees in a sealed package.

Injections

Papaverine injections begin to work immediately after administration. For this reason, treatment is indicated when the situation does not allow for delay. The solution can be administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously.

When the drug is administered intravenously, it is diluted with saline and injected slowly. A dropper with papaverine is placed in a hospital: usually, if intravenous infusion of drugs is required, the condition of the woman and the fetus raises concerns among doctors. Obviously, the pregnant woman in this case is left under the supervision of doctors and monitored around the clock.

Subcutaneous or intramuscular injections can be done at home if there is a person with a medical education or someone who owns the equipment nearby. After the injections, the woman should be monitored so as not to miss side effects and allergic reactions.

Pills

Papaverine tablets during pregnancy are prescribed when the condition of the expectant mother and her baby is stable, there is no threat to their life and there is no threat of interruption. With oral administration, the drug begins to act only after a while, so when there is a risk of miscarriage, other forms of the drug are prescribed: injections or suppositories, which act quickly.

The goal of treatment is usually to eliminate intestinal spasms, headaches.

The tablets should be taken orally with water. They should not be divided, chewed, crushed. Food intake does not affect the rate of assimilation. But if a woman has spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to take the pills half an hour before meals, so that they begin to act by the time the patient sits down at the table. Then she will be able to eat peacefully, without suffering from spasms and pains.

And in this case, the drug can only be used after consulting a doctor. For example, if the cause of the spasms is an intestinal infection, it is necessary to pass tests to identify the pathogen. The treatment regimen should contain antibiotics or bacteriophages that act on this particular bacterium. An antispasmodic in this case is used as symptomatic therapy.

Alternatives

Consider other drugs that can replace papaverine during pregnancy and have a similar effect.

No-shpa

No-shpa (drotaverine) is also an antispasmodic agent. It is prescribed when you need to relax smooth muscles with pain in the stomach, intestines, headaches, menstrual cramps. It eliminates spasms, improves condition and normalizes the functioning of organs.

It is also used for hypertonicity of the uterus in the early stages: it is safe during this period, it begins to act faster than other antispasmodics, does not affect the development of the fetus, the state of the placenta, it has fewer side effects. Available in the form of tablets and solution for injection.

A contraindication to the use of drotaverine is hypersensitivity. It is not prescribed when a pregnant woman has problems with the kidneys, liver, heart, and the function of these organs is impaired.

An analogue of no-shpy is spazmol, spazmonet, which have the same indications and contraindications.

Viburcol

This is a homeopathic remedy, which includes extracts of chamomile, belladonna, plantain, meadow lumbago, dulcamara solanum, as well as carbonic lime obtained from oyster shells and solid fat. It has an antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect.

Available in the form of rectal suppositories. It is prescribed for hypertonicity of the uterus in the early stages, abdominal pain associated with disruption of the intestines and stomach, inflammation of the urinary organs. The drug is effective for infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory and ENT organs, increased nervous excitability, stress.

Contraindicated in case of allergy to the components of suppositories.

Conclusion

Any appointments during pregnancy should only be made by a doctor. Especially in the early stages, when organs are being laid. If you are worried about pain, or spasms, tell the doctor who is observing you. He will select an effective and safe drug, and also deal with the cause and eliminate it.