Definition
Papaveretum is a preparation containing three of the principal opium alkaloids: morphine, papaverine, and codeine. One of the first available analgesic formulas, papaveretum is now relatively uncommon due to the more widespread availability of simple and synthetic opioids. Papaveretum continues to be used primarily as a preoperative sedative, but also for moderate to severe pain. In comparison with morphine, papaveretum has fewer gastrointestinal side effects and little abuse potential as IV administration at low doses produces severe headaches in most individuals. An additional component, noscapine, was removed from the formula in 1993 due to potential genotoxic effects.
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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Cador, M. (2010). Papaveretum. In: Stolerman, I.P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1830
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1830
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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