how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

pinaverium belongs to the class of medications called gastrointestinal calcium antagonists. this medication is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (ibs). it helps relieve the symptoms of abdominal pain, bowel disturbances, and intestinal discomfort. it acts by relaxing the smooth muscle of the bowel.

pinaverium is also used to help relieve symptoms caused by certain disorders of the gallbladder associated with secretion of bile.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

50 mg
each orange-coloured, circular-shaped, film-coated tablet, with a slightly convex surface, engraved with "s" on one side and "50" on the reverse side, contains pinaverium bromide 50 mg. nonmedicinal ingredients: hydrophobic anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, modified cornstarch, modified lactose, and talc; film coating: basic butylated methacrylate copolymer, sepisperse dry 3203 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, anatase titanium dioxide, and sunset yellow (aluminium lake)), sodium laurylsulfate, stearic acid, and talc.

100 mg
each orange-coloured, circular-shaped, film-coated tablet, with a slightly convex surface, engraved with "s" on one side and "100" on the reverse side, contains pinaverium bromide 100 mg. nonmedicinal ingredients: hydrophobic anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, modified cornstarch, modified lactose, and talc; film coating: basic butylated methacrylate copolymer, sepisperse dry 3203 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, anatase titanium dioxide, and sunset yellow [aluminium lake]), sodium laurylsulfate, stearic acid, and talc.

how should i use this medication?

the usual starting adult dose of pinaverium is 50 mg, taken 3 times a day with a glass of water during meals or snacks. your doctor may increase the dose to 100 mg 3 times daily if adequate relief is not obtained with the lower dose. the tablet should not be swallowed when lying down or just before bedtime. the recommended maximum (total) daily dose of pinaverium is 300 mg. the length of treatment with this medication depends on the reason for use.

swallow this medication whole. do not suck or chew the tablets.

many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not take pinaverium if you are allergic to pinaverium or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • abdominal bloating
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • dry mouth
  • feeling of fullness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • skin allergy
  • stomach pain
  • vomiting

although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • difficulty swallowing
  • heartburn
  • throat or chest pain

stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.

medical conditions: pinaverium tablets contain lactose. if you have galactose intolerance, lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

throat irritation: contact of pinaverium with the lining of the throat may be irritating. therefore, it is strongly recommended that the tablet be taken with a glass of water during meal time. if more than 3 tablets are taken per day, the additional tablet(s) should be taken at the same time with a glass of water and a snack. do not take the tablets when lying down or just before bedtime.

pregnancy: the safety of pinaverium for use during pregnancy has not been established. pregnant women should take this medication only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

breast-feeding: it is not known if pinaverium passes into breast milk. if you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. this medication is not recommended for breast-feeding women.

children: the safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. in many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/dicetel