papaverine

American  

[puh-pav-uh-reen, -er-in, puh-pey-vuh-reen, -ver-in] / pəˈpæv əˌrin, -ər ɪn, pəˈpeɪ vəˌrin, -vər ɪn /

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.

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papaverine British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of papaverine

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

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

Related Words

• drug
• heroin
• morphine
• opiate
• poppy