Many pregnant women face such a problem as increased uterine tone. It is caused by low levels of progesterone, physical activity, stress, toxicosis and other factors.
To eliminate hypertonicity and prevent a life-threatening situation for the fetus, doctors use antispasmodics, for example, "Papaverine". Suppositories are the most popular form of this medication for home use.
They do not harm the development of the baby in any way, but should only be used as directed by a doctor, since the dosage and treatment regimen is selected individually.
What is this drug?
"Papaverine" in the form of candles is characterized by an elongated shape and white color with an indistinct yellow or cream shade. Each suppository contains 20 mg of an active ingredient called papaverine hydrochloride.
Solid fats are added to papaverine to shape the drug and ensure ease of use. There are no other chemical additives in the composition of such a product. The drug is sold in cardboard boxes containing two cell packs of 5 candles. You don't need a prescription to buy such a "Papaverine", and the average cost of one pack is 50–70 rubles.
To store the drug at home, a cool place away from small children is required. The shelf life of this form of medicine is 2 years.
How does it work?
The active substance of the suppositories has a pronounced antispasmodic effect aimed at smooth muscles. Under its influence the muscles of organs such as the gallbladder, intestines, uterus, bronchi, stomach, bladder relax. This helps to eliminate the pain that appears during spasm and restores the function of the target organ. In addition, papaverine hydrochloride acts on blood vessels, which leads to their expansion and lowering of blood pressure.
Why is it used in pregnant women?
First, we note that the instructions for the suppositories include a phrase about insufficient study of the drug's effect on fetal development. This means that clinical studies involving pregnant women, determining the effect of "Papaverine" on the body of the mother and baby during pregnancy, have not been conducted. And therefore, manufacturers declare that the safety of such exposure has not been confirmed. However, in practice, this drug has been used for more than a decade. Doctors do not note any harm to the baby in the womb.
The main indication for the appointment of "Papaverine" in candles for expectant mothers is increased tone of the walls of the uterus, which leads to a deterioration in blood flow in the placenta and can provoke an abortion. The use of "Papaverine" in the first and second trimesters avoids miscarriage, and in the later stages this drug will simultaneously reduce the risk of premature birth and prepare the cervix at the end of the third trimester for labor.
Suppositories can also be used for such ailments caused by spasm of smooth muscles, such as:
- with a dry cough caused by bronchospasm;
- with abdominal pain caused by intestinal or biliary colic;
- with headaches provoked by spasms of cerebral vessels;
- with renal colic or pain due to spasms in the bladder.
Important! "Papaverine" in suppositories is also prescribed for "white" fever, when, against a background of elevated temperature, the peripheral vessels narrow, the limbs become pale and cool. This condition occurs with ARVI and poses a great danger to both the expectant mother and the fetus.
Benefits
Suppositories with papaverine are prescribed for expectant mothers more often than the other two forms of medication (it is also represented by tablets and an injection solution) for reasons such as:
- this drug has the simplest composition, so the risk of allergies is lower;
- in comparison with tablets, the active substance is absorbed from the suppository faster, and its effect lasts longer;
- the condition of the pregnant woman improves within 10-15 minutes after the introduction of the candle;
- it is quite simple to use suppositories - this does not require the help of medical staff, a woman copes with the introduction of suppositories on her own at home.
Can it hurt?
Although the use of "Papaverine" does not in any way affect the development of the crumbs inside the uterus, such suppositories can provoke undesirable consequences, if you do not take into account the contraindications to their use, which the expectant mother may have.
The drug is prohibited for women who have the following diseases:
- severe liver dysfunctions;
- atrioventricular block;
- glaucoma.
Its use is limited for patients with pathologies of the thyroid gland, kidneys, cardiovascular system and many other diseases. Therefore, in the presence of any concomitant diseases, the expectant mother must should consult a doctor, only then buy candles and use them according to the scheme prescribed by a specialist.
In addition, Papaverine can cause side effects, even if it is not contraindicated. Some women react to such suppositories with an allergic reaction. Sometimes after using the drug, blood pressure decreases or the rhythm of the heartbeat is disturbed. In some patients, the use of "Papaverine" leads to drowsiness, constipation and other symptoms, if found, you should consult your doctor.
If the use of suppositories did not eliminate the problem due to which they were discharged, or the malaise intensifies, an urgent examination by a gynecologist is required.
Early use
At the beginning of pregnancy, many women experience anxiety and anxiety, which increases the risk of hypertonia and the threat of miscarriage. The first weeks of gestation are most important for the development of the fetus, because it is in the first trimester that the main internal organs are laid in the baby, their systems are formed. If the expectant mother has an increased uterine tone, this threatens the life of the embryo and prevents its normal development. And therefore, the use of "Papaverine" is fully justified. but it is not worth inserting candles without a doctor's prescription at the beginning of pregnancy.
The expectant mother must definitely contact the gynecologist so that he can conduct an examination, send her to an ultrasound scan and make sure that additional intake of hormonal, sedative and other medicines is not required.
If the threat of miscarriage is very high, the woman can be hospitalized, because her condition can become complicated at any time, and in the hospital the doctors will have time to provide the necessary assistance. With a slight hypertonicity of the pregnant woman, suppositories with papaverine are prescribed and bed rest is prescribed.
Instructions for use
Let us remind you that before using Papaverine while waiting for a child, you need to consult a doctor who will select the optimal treatment regimen. Such suppositories are used exclusively rectally, that is, the suppository is allowed to be inserted only into the anus. This medicine is not used vaginally. When the drug enters the intestine, its fatty base begins to heat up and dissolves, which contributes to the rapid absorption of the active substance and its transfer with the bloodstream to the muscular membrane of the uterus or other organs with smooth muscles.
An antispasmodic is used as follows:
- the expectant mother should wash her hands and wipe them dry with a clean towel (you can also wear sterile gloves);
- you need to open the box, separate one cell and carefully remove the candle from the wrapper;
- a woman needs to lie on one side, raise the leg located on top and carefully insert the candle into the anus;
- after the introduction of the drug, it takes some time to lie down quietly.
A single dose of "Papaverine" is often one suppository, which is injected into the rectum at regular intervals several times a day. To obtain a therapeutic effect, the medication is used at least 2 times a day. EIf the spasms are quite strong, the suppositories are administered three or four times as prescribed by the doctor.
The duration of the use of the drug, as already mentioned, is determined by the clinical situation and other factors, therefore, the duration of the course of treatment is selected individually for each woman. Candles can be lit for only a few days, and 2-3 weeks.
If the doctor prescribed "Papaverine" for a certain number of days, but after this period the pain and discomfort persist, a second consultation and selection of another treatment is required.
Reviews
According to women who had to use papaverine suppositories during pregnancy, this is an effective and safe drug for the baby. He quickly helped them with increased uterine tone. Among its advantages are the absence of chemical additives in the composition, ease of use, and an affordable price. The undoubted advantage of "Papaverine" is also called the possibility of using such suppositories for any period of gestation, if the woman has no contraindications.
Doctors also speak about this medication mostly positively. They confirm that the form of the drug for rectal use is the most harmless and does not affect the condition of the developing infant. At the same time, doctors are categorically against both self-medication and changing the dosage prescribed by a specialist. If the dose is exceeded, it will not only worsen the well-being of the expectant mother, but may also cause hospitalization.
Important! Only the attending physician can change the dosage of "Papaverine".
Analogs
Most often, "Papaverine" is replaced by preparations based on drotaverine, since this active substance is also an effective antispasmodic permitted during pregnancy. Among these drugs, the most famous is "No-shpa", represented by tablets and injectable form. In solid form, such a drug can be taken both with hypertonia and with spasms in the intestines or headache. He has a minimum of contraindications and there is no harmful effect on the fetus.
Instead of "No-shpy", the expectant mother, after consulting with a specialist, can use such analogues as "Spazmonet", "Drotaverin" or "Spazmol".
Among other drugs that are in demand when increasing the tone of the uterus and can replace "Papaverine", one can name "Viburkol"... These homeopathic suppositories contain several natural ingredients, including chamomile, belladonna and pulsatilla. They cause not only antispasmodic, but also anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, Viburcol has anesthetic and sedative effect.
Such a remedy allowed even for newborns, therefore, it will not harm the fetus and can be used in women in position. In addition to hypertonicity, such suppositories are in demand for acute respiratory viral infections and inflammatory processes of any localization, for example, in the ENT organs.
