Drotaverine

Description

Drotaverine helps in pain relief related to spasms. It relieves stomach pain, c

ramps, spasms and menstrual pain. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the stomach, thereby providing relief from pain & spasms. Drotaverine is available in the form of a tablet, capsule, suspension, oral drops, injection. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding and about all the medicines and supplements you take and all the conditions or diseases you suffer from, before starting drotaverine.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses

Drotaverine is used to relieve abdominal pain, cramps, spasms and other painful conditions.

Contraindications

When should one not use Drotaverine

If you are allergic to drotaverine or similar medicines
If you are suffering from any heart, liver or kidney related problems
If you have a blood disorder called porphyria
If you are a breastfeeding mother
Drotaverine is not recommended for use in children below the age of 12 years.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Dry mouth
Spinning of head
Injection site reactions

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take drotaverine during pregnancy?

It is not advised to take domperidone during pregnancy until considered essential by the doctor and potential risks justify the benefits.

Breast Feeding

Can I take drotaverine while breastfeeding?

Drotaverine should not be used by breastfeeding women.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed drotaverine?

Drotaverine may cause dizziness, thus you need to be cautious while driving.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with drotaverine?

Avoid consuming alcohol with domperidone, as it may worsen the side effects like dizziness.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have problems with your heart, liver or kidneys.
You have low blood pressure
You are pregnant, planning to conceive or are breastfeeding.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Drotaverine acts by inhibiting the action of a particular enzyme. This relaxes the smooth muscle and dilates the blood vessels. Thus, provides relief from spasm and pain.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way drotaverine works, or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
You may experience rigidity, shakiness, disbalance when drotaverine is concomitantly used along with medicines like levodopa (used to treat Parkinson's disease).
Other medicines like pain killers, medicines used to treat bladder problems and medicines used to treat mental health problems should be used cautiously.

Dosage

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include headache, vomiting, sleepiness, dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure. Seek urgent medical help if you suspect an overdose.

Missed a Dose

If you have missed any dose of drotaverine then take it as soon as you remember. If it is already time for the next dose then skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a...

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Nikita Toshi

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), WHO FIDES member

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can drotaverine be used in children?

A: Drotaverine is not recommended for use in children below the age of 12 years.

Q: Is drotaverine an antibiotic?

A: No, drotaverine is not an antibiotic, it is an anti-spasmodic medicine that provides relief from pain related to spasms.

Q: What are the common side effects I should watch out for?

A: Drotaverine is usually well-tolerated, but common side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Dry mouth Dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) Headache If you feel dizzy, it's best to avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you. If any side effect becomes severe or persistent, please contact your doctor.

Q: Can I take Drotaverine if I have heart, liver, or kidney problems?

A: You must inform your doctor if you have any pre-existing serious health conditions, especially: Severe Heart Disease (including low blood pressure) Severe Liver or Kidney Disease In these cases, Drotaverine is often not recommended or must be used with extreme caution and under close medical supervision. This is to ensure the medication is safe and the correct dose is prescribed for your specific health needs.

Q: Can I use Drotaverine for general stomach pain, or only for cramps?

A: Drotaverine is best used for pain caused by muscle spasms or cramping, such as: Menstrual (Period) Pain and Cramps Pain caused by Kidney Stones (Renal Colic) or Gallstones (Biliary Colic) General cramps or spasms related to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other digestive issues. It is not a general painkiller for aches or injuries. Always check with your doctor if you are unsure what is causing your pain.

References

View All

Last Updated on: 31 Oct 2025 | 12:07 AM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.