Drug interactions
Nitroglycerin rectal + Papaverine
Severity: Moderate
Nitroglycerin rectal 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 relax vascular smooth muscle, so using them together may cause additive vasodilation and a fall in blood pressure. Patients may experience dizziness, flushing or fainting, especially on standing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nitroglycerin rectal 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 vasodilation through nitric oxide-mediated cGMP increase from nitroglycerin and phosphodiesterase inhibition by papaverine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate after starting or changing doses. Advise patients to rise slowly and reduce a dose if symptomatic hypotension occurs.
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
- Bretylium + Papaverine Moderate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nitroglycerin rectal with Papaverine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nitroglycerin rectal 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 relax vascular smooth muscle, so using them together may cause additive vasodilation and a fall in blood pressure. Patients may experience dizziness, flushing or fainting, especially on standing.
How serious is the interaction between Nitroglycerin rectal 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 and heart rate after starting or changing doses. Advise patients to rise slowly and reduce a dose if symptomatic hypotension occurs.
What other medicines interact with Papaverine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Papaverine with, for example, Givinostat, Bretylium, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates. The full list is on the Papaverine page.
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