Drotaverine 40 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Stomach and intestinal cramps, including irritable bowel syndrome; Painful periods (menstrual cramps).
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.75 to ₹10.58 per tablet across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drotaverine Hydrochloride Tablets IP 40mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹7.50 | ₹0.75 | 19 October 2026 |
| Dotarin 40 | Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹16.88 | ₹1.69 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drotikind 40 | Mankind Pharma Ltd | 10 | ₹43.36 | ₹4.34 | 19 October 2026 |
| Doverin 40 | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹52.50 | ₹5.25 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drotitec 40 | Indoco Remedies Ltd | 10 | ₹79.69 | ₹7.97 | 19 October 2026 |
| DVN 40 | Overseas Healthcare Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹80.03 | ₹8.00 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drotin 40 | Walter Bushnell | 15 | ₹158.68 | ₹10.58 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Stomach and intestinal cramps, including irritable bowel syndrome.
- Painful periods (menstrual cramps).
- Pain from kidney stones or gallbladder colic, along with other treatment.
- Spasm-related abdominal pain where a muscle relaxant is needed without a painkiller.
How to take it
Take one 40 mg tablet with water, with or without food, up to three times a day when you have cramping pain, or as your doctor advises. Drotaverine relaxes the smooth muscle of the gut, bile ducts and uterus but does not treat the underlying cause, so use it only for a few days. If pain is severe, lasts more than a day or two, or comes with fever, vomiting, blood in stool or urine, or pain in the right lower abdomen, see a doctor instead of continuing the tablets.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea.
- Headache, dizziness.
- Dry mouth.
- Constipation.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting or a sudden fall in blood pressure.
- Severe allergic reaction – rash, swelling of the face, difficulty breathing.
- Pain that gets worse despite the tablet – may be appendicitis or another emergency.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol – it adds to dizziness and low blood pressure and often worsens the stomach problem.
Pregnancy
Ask your doctor before use. Drotaverine is sometimes prescribed in pregnancy by obstetricians, but do not self-medicate. Avoid while breastfeeding unless advised.
Kidney problems
Use with caution in kidney disease; tell your doctor.
Liver problems
Use with caution in liver disease.
Children
Not recommended for children under 6; older children only on a doctor's advice.
Missed dose
It is taken when needed. If on a schedule, take it when you remember unless the next dose is due soon; do not double up.
Interactions
- Levodopa (for Parkinson's) – drotaverine can reduce its effect.
- BP-lowering medicines – added drop in blood pressure and dizziness.
- Other antispasmodics such as dicyclomine or hyoscine (Buscopan) – no extra benefit, more side effects.
- Can usually be combined with paracetamol or mefenamic acid for painful periods, as a doctor advises.
Frequently asked questions
What is Drotin 40 used for?
Drotin relaxes the muscle in the gut, bile ducts and uterus, so it relieves cramping pain – stomach cramps, IBS, period pain and colic from kidney or gallbladder stones. It does not treat the cause of the pain.
Drotin 40 before or after food?
Either. Drotaverine can be taken with or without food; taking it with a little food may reduce nausea.
Can I take Drotin 40 for period pain?
Yes, it is commonly prescribed for menstrual cramps, sometimes combined with mefenamic acid (as in Drotin-M). Take it when cramps start and see a doctor if periods are always very painful.
Drotin vs Meftal-Spas – which is better for stomach pain?
Drotin contains only drotaverine, a muscle relaxant. Meftal-Spas combines dicyclomine with mefenamic acid, a painkiller, so it suits pain with inflammation. Drotin causes less dry mouth and no stomach irritation from NSAIDs.
Is Drotin 40 safe in pregnancy?
Obstetricians sometimes prescribe drotaverine during pregnancy for specific reasons, but do not take it without asking your doctor.
Can I take Drotin 40 with alcohol?
Avoid alcohol. It adds to dizziness and can lower blood pressure, and usually worsens the stomach problem you are treating.
How many Drotin 40 tablets can I take in a day?
Usually one tablet up to three times a day, as your doctor advises. If you need it for more than a couple of days, get the cause of the pain checked.
Does Drotin 40 need a prescription?
Yes, drotaverine is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine in India. Repeated abdominal pain should always be evaluated by a doctor rather than self-treated.
Sources
- NHS – Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide), nearest antispasmodic guidance (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms