papaverine

[ puh-pav-uh-reen, -er-in, puh-pey-vuh-reen, -ver-in ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, nonnarcotic, alkaloidal powder, C 2 0 H 2 1 NO 4 , obtained from opium, but not a morphine derivative and not habit-forming or addicting, used in the treatment of spasms of involuntary muscle, especially of the stomach, bronchi, and arteries.

papaverine

/ pəˈpeɪvəˌriːn; -rɪn /

noun

1. a white crystalline almost insoluble alkaloid found in opium and used as an antispasmodic to treat coronary spasms and certain types of colic. Formula: C 20 H 21 NO 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of papaverine¹

1855–60; < Latin papāver poppy + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of papaverine¹

C19: from Latin papāver poppy

Example Sentences

During a shortage of papaverine, a drug used for surgery on blood vessels, the clinic produced its own version.

From New York Times

Street heroin contains papaverine, a remnant of the opium poppy that can be detected in the urine.

From Reuters

White Poppy capsules, when dried, furnish papaverine and narcotine, with some mucilage, and a little waxy matter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drug
• heroin
• morphine
• opiate
• poppy