papaverine

views updated May 23 2018

papaverine (pă-pav-er-een) n. an alkaloid, derived from opium, that relaxes smooth muscle. It can be injected into the corpora cavernosa of the penis to treat erectile dysfunction. In combination with morphine and codeine (a mixture called papaveretum), it is now only rarely used as a preanaesthetic medication and for the relief of postoperative pain.

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