Management of Chronic Brain Syndrome Secondary to Cerebral Arteriosclerosis, With Special Reference to Papaverine Hydrochloride

A bstract The vasodilator drug, papaverine hydrochloride (sustained‐release form) was used in a double‐blind crossover study of 30 geriatric patients with symptoms of chronic brain syndrome secondary to cerebral arteriosclerosis. At a dosage level of 300 mg twice daily in sustained‐release form, papaverine hydrochloride was more effective than placebo in relieving 13 of the 15 target symptoms characterizing the syndrome. Side effects were numerous but mild, and did not interrupt the study. Drowsiness, constipation and vertigo accounted for 80 per cent of the side effects noted with the active drug, whereas 81.5 per cent of the side effects noted with placebo were nausea, vertigo, headache and flatulence. The drug had no significant effect on the weight of the patient. Papaverine hydrochloride proved to be a valuable adjunct in the subjective relief of symptoms of chronic brain syndrome secondary to cerebral arteriosclerosis.