Drug interactions
Bretylium + Papaverine
Severity: Moderate
Bretylium and Papaverine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can lower blood pressure, so using them together may cause additive hypotension. Bretylium alone commonly causes orthostatic hypotension, and papaverine vasodilation may worsen it.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bretylium and Papaverine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic hypotensive effects from adrenergic neuron blockade (bretylium) and direct vascular smooth muscle relaxation (papaverine).
What to do
Monitor blood pressure closely, especially on standing or after dose changes. Reduce the dose of one agent or keep the patient supine if hypotension develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Papaverine
- Givinostat + Papaverine Major
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Iloprost + Papaverine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bretylium with Papaverine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bretylium and Papaverine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can lower blood pressure, so using them together may cause additive hypotension. Bretylium alone commonly causes orthostatic hypotension, and papaverine vasodilation may worsen it.
How serious is the interaction between Bretylium and Papaverine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure closely, especially on standing or after dose changes. Reduce the dose of one agent or keep the patient supine if hypotension develops.
What other medicines interact with Papaverine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Papaverine with, for example, Givinostat, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa. The full list is on the Papaverine page.
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