Drotaverine 80 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Stomach and intestinal cramps (colicky abdominal pain), including irritable bowel syndrome; Painful periods (menstrual cramps).
Listed MRPs range from ₹1.25 to ₹18.65 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 80 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 15 | ₹18.75 | ₹1.25 | 19 October 2026 |
| Tavera 80 | Leeford Healthcare Ltd | 10 | ₹44.53 | ₹4.45 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drotastar 80 | Nectar Pharma | 10 | ₹61.88 | ₹6.19 | 19 October 2026 |
| Dotavic-DS | DS Laboratories | 10 | ₹65.63 | ₹6.56 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drotikind 80 | Mankind Pharma Ltd | 10 | ₹90.38 | ₹9.04 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drojust 80 | Morepen Laboratories Ltd | 10 | ₹136.00 | ₹13.60 | 19 October 2026 |
| Drotin DS | Walter Bushnell | 15 | ₹279.73 | ₹18.65 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Stomach and intestinal cramps (colicky abdominal pain), including irritable bowel syndrome.
- Painful periods (menstrual cramps).
- Pain from kidney stones or gallbladder spasm, along with the treatment your doctor gives.
- Spasm of the bowel or bile ducts before or after some procedures, when a doctor prescribes it.
How to take it
Take one 80 mg tablet with a glass of water, with or without food, when you have cramping pain or as your doctor prescribes, usually up to three times a day. Swallow it whole; do not crush or chew. Drotaverine is an antispasmodic, not a painkiller, so it works best for cramping, colicky pain rather than burning or constant pain. Do not keep taking it for more than a few days on your own. See a doctor if the pain is severe, keeps coming back, comes with fever, vomiting, blood in stool or urine, or does not settle within a day or two, because these can be signs of an illness that needs treatment.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea or feeling unwell.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Dry mouth or constipation.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Fast or pounding heartbeat or a drop in blood pressure.
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction – swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, hives.
- Pain that gets worse or new fever, vomiting or blood – stop and see a doctor, as the medicine may be hiding a serious problem.
Safety information
Alcohol
There is no known direct interaction, but alcohol can worsen stomach upset and dizziness. Keep it to a minimum while you are unwell.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. Drotaverine is used in pregnancy in India only when a doctor decides it is needed.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Use it only as prescribed and do not take extra doses.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; it may be used with caution and at the lowest effective dose.
Children
Not for children unless a doctor prescribes it; the 80 mg tablet is an adult strength.
Missed dose
If you take it regularly, take the missed dose when you remember unless the next one is due soon. Never take two doses together.
Interactions
- Levodopa (Parkinson's medicine) – drotaverine may reduce its effect; tell your doctor.
- Blood pressure medicines – may add to dizziness or low blood pressure on standing.
- Other antispasmodics such as hyoscine (Buscopan) or dicyclomine – do not combine without advice.
- Painkillers like mefenamic acid or paracetamol are often given together for period pain; take them only as advised.
Frequently asked questions
What is Drotin DS used for?
Drotin DS contains drotaverine 80 mg, an antispasmodic. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the gut, bile duct, urinary tract and uterus, so it is used for stomach cramps, irritable bowel, period pain and the colicky pain of kidney or gallbladder stones.
Is Drotin DS a painkiller?
Not in the usual sense. It does not block pain like paracetamol or ibuprofen; it stops the muscle spasm that causes cramping pain. For burning stomach pain or headache it will not help.
Drotin vs Drotin DS – what is the difference?
Drotin contains drotaverine 40 mg and Drotin DS (double strength) contains 80 mg. Your doctor picks the strength based on how severe the cramps are. Do not take two Drotin DS tablets thinking it is the same as one dose.
Can I take Drotikind 80 for period pain?
Yes, drotaverine is commonly prescribed for menstrual cramps, often together with a painkiller such as mefenamic acid. If your periods are very painful every month, see a gynaecologist rather than relying on tablets alone.
Can I take Drotin DS with alcohol?
It is best avoided. Alcohol can worsen nausea and dizziness and often makes stomach cramps worse.
Is drotaverine safe in pregnancy?
It is sometimes prescribed in pregnancy in India, but only when a doctor decides it is needed. Do not take it on your own if you are pregnant; cramping pain in pregnancy should always be checked.
How quickly does Drotin DS work?
Most people feel the cramps easing within 30 minutes to an hour. If there is no relief after a dose or two, or the pain is getting worse, see a doctor.
Can I take Drotin DS with Pan 40 or antacids?
Yes, there is no known interaction with pantoprazole or antacids. If you also have acidity, your doctor may give both.
Is Drotin DS available without a prescription?
Drotaverine is a Schedule H medicine in India, so chemists should ask for a prescription. Do not use it for more than a few days without seeing a doctor.
Sources
- NHS – Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide): how and when to take (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Buscopan: side effects (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