Hello everyone!
I was pretty surprised to find so few reviews for Drotaverine online, considering it's a medication I've been taking for a while now. I thought it was a pretty common pain reliever, but I guess I was wrong. Today, I'll share my honest experience with you, including what it's helped me with and when it's been completely useless. I'll also share some intake schemes for various problems that others have shared with me.
Drotaverin hydrochloride by OOO "Farmproject"xa0
●GENERAL INFORMATION●
Brand: Farmproject
Country of origin: Russia
Quantity: 100 units
Price: around 100 rubles
Place of purchase: local pharmacy
Composition:
Active ingredient: drotaverine hydrochloride - 40.0 mg.
Excipients: lactose monohydrate - 52.0 mg, potato starch - 35.0 mg, povidon (low-molecular polyvinylpyrrolidone) - 6.0 mg, talc - 4.0 mg, calcium stearate - 3.0 mg.
●REVIEW OF THE PREPARATION●
Drotaverin comes in a cardboard box, which is small and fairly modestly designed.
The box has information about the manufacturer.
And the composition.
The expiration date is listed at the top.
I was happy to find that the packaging is a standard plastic container.
The expiration date is clearly marked, which is super convenient.
The pills are tiny, round, and easy to swallow.
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●MY EXPECTATIONS●
I've been taking Drotaverine for a while now, and I was hoping it would help with menstrual cramps. Lately, I've been using it for discomfort in my right lower back. When taking meds, I always try to avoid side effects, of course. And it's gotta be easy to use.
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●USAGE●
Just swallow it with plenty of water.
Adults are recommended to take 40-80mg (1-2 tablets) 2-3 times a day, with a maximum daily dose of 240mg.
For kids aged 6-12, the recommended dose is 40mg 1-2 times a day, with a maximum daily dose of 80mg.
Kids over 12 are recommended to take 40-80mg (1-2 tablets) 2-4 times a day, with a maximum daily dose of 160mg.
The recommended duration of treatment without consulting a doctor is 1-2 days.
I usually take Drotaverine once or twice a day, but that's only when I'm experiencing severe menstrual cramps.
I also want to share some advice from a friend and even my gynecologist.
This girl I used to work with always swore by No-Shpa and Valerian root tea as the ultimate stress-relievers. She's not kidding – it really works!
I've had to visit the gynecologist recently, and she prescribed me some meds, which I ended up not needing, but I did buy them. Luckily, everything resolved on its own, and I didn't have to use them. But I guess this combo might be a lifesaver for someone else. If you're experiencing lower belly pain, which she called 'hormonal stuff,' she recommended taking No-Shpa and diclofenac suppositories before bed for three days.
I was advised to take No-Shpa, but since Drotaverine is an analogue, I'm guessing the results won't be much different.
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●IN USE●
What I liked:
The tablet size is a major plus for me – it's tiny and easy to swallow. I hate taking meds, even capsules – they're a struggle to swallow. I guess it's psychological, but I've always been like that. Even Spazmalgon is a nightmare for me; I have to cut it in half and still struggle to swallow it. Sometimes I think it's easier to just tough it out. But with Drotaverine, the tablets go down smoothly.
I also appreciate that you can take Drotaverine with or without food. Sometimes, the timing of the pain is unpredictable, and it's a relief to be able to take the tablets whenever you need to. The fact that you can take them at any time is super convenient.
Drotaverine has been pretty effective for me, especially when I'm experiencing discomfort in the right side of my abdomen due to gallstones. It also relieves pain associated with menstrual cramps on the second or third day. It's definitely better than taking stronger meds.
Another thing I like about Drotaverine is that I've never noticed any negative impact on my body.
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What I didn't like:
The taste of Drotaverine is a major downside for me. I mean, these things are tiny and you can swallow them in an instant. But why do I still manage to feel this super bitter and unpleasant taste? It's straight-up gross, you know? I'd love to just guzzle a liter of water after taking these to get rid of the awful sensation. I wouldn't say the taste is unbearable, but it's definitely pretty nasty.
Another thing I don't like is that Drotaverine isn't always effective. If I've got a mild gallbladder issue, the pills do help. But if I'm in full-blown pain, taking Drotaverine is basically useless - I've tried it enough times to know. Same thing with these days, the pill helps when the pain is more manageable, but on the first day, it's not doing much of anything.
I also wish the packaging was more convenient. I've got a tiny purse and I need to carry the pills with me, so it's easier to just cut off a few tablets from the blister pack. Trying to figure out what to do with the pills from a bottle is a bit of a hassle, though - do I just stick them in a tissue or something? It's not a huge deal, but it's still a bit of a pain.
I did some research to compare Drotaverine to No-Shpa and whether they're actually analogs, and it seems like the difference is mainly in quality - the active ingredient and dosage are the same, but the added extras and the company producing the pills can vary. Since Drotaverine hasn't hurt me and actually seems to help, I don't see the point in paying more and worrying about the quality.
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●RESULT●
What the manufacturer promises:
Drotaverine is an isoxazoline derivative that exhibits potent spasmolytic activity on smooth muscle due to the inhibition of the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE). Inhibition of PDE leads to an increase in the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which inactivates the light chain kinase of myosin (MLCK), resulting in relaxation of smooth muscle.
I've noticed that Drotaverine inhibits phosphodiesterase-4 in vitro without affecting phosphodiesterase-3 and phosphodiesterase-5. So, its effectiveness depends on the concentration of phosphodiesterase-4 in tissues, which varies across different tissues. Phosphodiesterase-4 is crucial for suppressing the contractile activity of smooth muscle, making selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 a useful treatment for hyperkinetic disorders and various conditions involving spastic intestinal states.
The hydrolysis of cAMP in the heart and smooth muscle blood vessels primarily involves phosphodiesterase-3, which is why Drotaverine has a lesser impact on the cardiovascular system.
Drotaverine is effective in relaxing smooth muscle spasms of both neurogenic and myogenic origin. Regardless of the type of autonomic innervation, Drotaverine relaxes the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, bile ducts, and urinary system.
While Drotaverine is indeed effective, it's not always the case. For instance, I think Spazmalgon is much stronger and more effective.
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●PLUS/MINUS●
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Plus:
The tablet size is easy to swallow.
Drotaverine helps with discomfort in the right side and other mild pains.
The price is amazing, especially considering the number of tablets.
It's a convenient way to take it.
No side effects.
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Minus:
It doesn't help with all types of pain.
It tastes terrible.
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●RESULT●
When I went to the hospital with my problem, everyone asked if I was taking No-shpa or Drotaverine. My therapist and gynecologist both recommended this medication. Apparently, it's one of the most effective and safer options. I don't consider Drotaverine a miracle cure, but I do keep it at home. It's affordable and often helps, so I'd recommend it.
I've gotta say, the customer support from this brand has been top-notch. I had a few questions about the product, and their team responded quickly and helped me out. They even threw in some extra tips for getting the most out of my purchase. That's the kind of service that makes a big difference in my book.