Abstract
ABSTRACT: Papaverine hydrochloride (Pavabid) has been recommended in geriatric practice for increasing cerebral blood flow and improving mental functioning. However, reports of hepatotoxicity as indicated by physical signs and symptoms and elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase led to this study. Thirty patients (age range, 52 to 88 years) with a primary diagnosis of organic brain syndrome were studied. Each was treated with papaverine. The foregoing tests were performed before medication and after two, four, six and eight weeks of therapy. Papaverine was discontinued in 53 per cent of the cases by the end of the sixth week because of abnormal results with the liver function tests, yet none of the patients had nausea, vomiting, jaundice or dark urine. The physiological meaning of these findings is open to more than one interpretation; hence no explanation is offered. However, the question of whether or not papaverine is truly hepatotoxic must be considered.
Published Version
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