papaverine

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

noun Pharmacology.

a white, crystalline, nonnarcotic, alkaloidal powder, C20H21NO4, 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.

Origin of papaverine

1855–60; < Latin papāver poppy + -ine2

Example sentences from the Web for papaverine

British Dictionary definitions for papaverine

papaverine
/ (pəˈpeɪvəˌriːn, -rɪn) /

noun

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 Origin for papaverine

C19: from Latin papāver poppy

Medical definitions for papaverine

papaverine
[ pə-păvə-rēn′, -ər-ĭn ]

n.

A nonaddictive opium derivative used medicinally to relieve spasms of smooth muscle.