Eldicet

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Eldicet

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Eldicet

What Type of Medicine is Eldicet and its Pharmacological Class?

Eldicet is a prescription-only synthetic medication whose active ingredient is Pinaverium bromide, primarily classified as a selective antispasmodic agent. The International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for the compound is Pinaverium bromide. This substance belongs to the pharmacological class of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), acting as a gastrointestinal calcium antagonist that is selective for the smooth muscle cells of the digestive tract. It is assigned the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code A03AX04 for drugs used for functional gastrointestinal disorders. This selectivity means its action is targeted towards relieving spasms in the gut wall, minimizing systemic effects. The medication is clinically recognized for its role in therapeutic management focused on reducing symptoms related to spasms, easing discomfort caused by irregular gut muscle contractions.


Composition and Form of the Medication

The active ingredient is Pinaverium bromide, which is consistently formulated as an oral film-coated tablet for administration. This drug is a single active ingredient product, provided in a solid oral dosage form. The compound itself is a highly polar quaternary ammonium compound, a structural feature that results in inherently low systemic absorption into the bloodstream. This characteristic is a key differentiating factor, making the medicine highly specific to the gut. Consequently, the film-coated tablet design and oral route of administration are essential, as the formulation is engineered to deliver the substance into the intestines, where it exerts its selective therapeutic action on the smooth muscle cells.


General Purpose and Benefit

The general purpose of this medication is to mitigate the core symptoms of functional intestinal disturbances by restoring balanced motor function to the digestive system. The physiological action is achieved by inhibiting the cellular influx of calcium into the smooth muscle cells of the gut wall, which reduces muscle excitability and spasticity. This targeted mechanism serves to alleviate severe abdominal cramping, pain, and related discomfort associated with functional disorders, promoting a more regulated and less erratic pattern of muscle contraction. This action is typically used in the scenario of recurring gastrointestinal spasms where specific, localized muscle relaxation is required.

What side effects are possible with Eldicet?

The official safety profile for Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) is structured around classifying reported events into frequency categories and grouping them by the System-Organ Class (SOC) affected, as documented in government regulatory sources.

Documented Adverse Reaction Classification

Adverse effects are most frequently associated with Gastrointestinal disorders, reflecting the drug’s localized action. These events are classified as:

  • Common (e.g., in 1/100 treated patients): Abdominal pain, Constipation, Dry mouth, Dyspepsia (indigestion), Nausea, and Headache.
  • Uncommon (e.g., in 1/1,000 treated patients): Diarrhea, Vomiting, and Somnolence (drowsiness).

Serious Reactions and Post-Marketing Events

Events reported spontaneously following market authorization are classified with a frequency of Not Known because their exact incidence cannot be reliably estimated. These reports include serious reactions such as Oesophageal lesion and systemic Hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema and anaphylactic shock. Post-marketing cutaneous effects such as rash, pruritus (itching), urticaria, and erythema are also documented.

Safety Considerations for Specific Populations

Regulatory documents include specific limitations and data statements:

  • Pediatric Population: Use is not recommended due to insufficient data on safety and effectiveness in children.
  • Renal or Liver Impairment: No specific data is available concerning the safety and effectiveness in patients with renal failure or liver failure.
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Use is generally not recommended due to limited data and unknown potential risks during these periods.

Use is also contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to the active substance or its excipients. The presence of lactose in the formulation imposes an explicit restriction for patients with certain rare hereditary malabsorption disorders.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Eldicet Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official overdose profile for Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) is strictly defined by national and international regulatory authorities. Documented manifestations are primarily confined to effects within the gastrointestinal system. Regulatory labeling consistently indicates that overdose may present with gastrointestinal complaints, specifically listing symptoms such as diarrhea and flatulence as the expected clinical presentation.


Regulatory Management and Mandate to Seek Help

Overdose Concern Official Regulatory Statement
Immediate Action Urgent professional medical attention is required for any suspected overdose. The official instruction is to contact a regional Poison Control Centre or a hospital emergency department immediately.
Antidote Status Regulatory information explicitly states that no specific antidote is known for Pinaverium bromide overdose, emphasizing the importance of professional medical assessment.
Treatment Approach Management of an overdose is directed toward providing symptomatic and supportive treatment within a monitored medical environment, as mandated by the prescribing information.

Although severe, life-threatening systemic outcomes are not commonly listed in official documents, immediate compliance with the regulator-mandated guidance to contact emergency services is essential for assessment, continuous observation, and supportive care.

Therapeutic Uses of Eldicet

What Eldicet Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) is commonly used to help with symptomatic management in situations involving certain distressing symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract. This medicine is generally applied in scenarios where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and functional disorders of the biliary tract.

The therapeutic domain is generally applied to help manage conditions that present with systemic or localized discomfort, which can involve symptoms like stomach pain, irregular bowels, and bloating. It contributes to easing the overall symptom load.

Quick Fact: Relief for Symptoms that interfere with daily functioning


Managing Acute Symptomatic Discomfort in Digestive Issues

This domain is used for managing situations involving symptoms related to physical discomfort that may appear suddenly or intensify temporarily. It may be relevant for symptom clusters that create noticeable physiological strain, offering supportive relief during phases when the patient experiences increased discomfort or tension.


Addressing Symptom Clusters in Functional Gut Conditions

Eldicet is considered relevant in clinical settings that involve acute or disruptive symptom patterns, such as those associated with functional digestive issues. It is applied when groups of symptoms interfere with daily functioning, and may assist in supporting functional stability when symptoms become more disruptive during flare-ups.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility for Eldicet (Pinaverium Bromide)

Regulatory documents define who can and cannot use Eldicet based on strict criteria. Use is generally established in Adults who do not have documented contraindications. The medicine is not intended for motility dysfunction resulting from underlying organic disease.

Eligibility Scope Official Regulatory Status
Contraindications Known hypersensitivity to Pinaverium bromide or excipients. Patients with hereditary problems like galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Pediatric Use Not recommended for children and adolescents; safety and efficacy are not established.
Pregnancy/Lactation Not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary; should not be used while breastfeeding, as risk to the child cannot be excluded.
Condition-Specific Safety and effectiveness are not established in patients with renal or hepatic impairment (insufficient data).

Connection to the overall eligibility profile: Official documentation establishes non-eligibility through absolute contraindications (allergy, excipient-related) and strong regulatory exclusions where safety data is lacking, specifically in pediatric, pregnant, and breastfeeding populations. Restricted use also applies to patients with pre-existing oesophageal lesions or hiatus hernia.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The official interaction profile for Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) is primarily shaped by its selective action and minimal absorption into the systemic circulation, a feature noted by government health authorities. Consequently, its interaction profile is focused on additive pharmacological effects and essential administration constraints.

Interaction Type Interacting Substance/Class Official Regulatory Statement
Pharmacodynamic Anticholinergic Drugs Co-administration may result in enhanced spasmolysis, indicating an additive effect on gut smooth muscle action.
Pharmacodynamic Alcohol, Cannabis May lead to an additive increase in drowsiness or dizziness, as documented by health authorities.
Exposure-Neutral Anticoagulants, Insulin, Digitalis Clinical trials formally demonstrated the absence of interaction with these key systemic agents, confirming no clinically relevant alteration of their exposure.

Due to the drug’s low systemic absorption, pharmacokinetic interactions involving CYP enzymes or major drug transporters are not documented in regulatory labeling. Furthermore, the label mandates strict timing-based conditions for administration: the medicine must be taken with a full glass of water and co-administered with a meal or snack. This constraint also requires that the tablet must not be taken when lying down or just before bedtime. No specific drug-drug combinations are formally listed as contraindicated due to interaction risk.

Mechanism of Action

How Eldicet Works

Pinaverium bromide acts through two key mechanistic domains: localized ion channel blockade and disruption of the muscle contraction process.

Selective Blockade of Gastrointestinal Calcium Channels

Pinaverium bromide functions as an antagonist highly specific for the L-type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels ( L-VGCCs) found in the smooth muscle cells lining the digestive tract. By physically blocking these channels, the drug inhibits the necessary influx of extracellular calcium ions ( Ca^2+). The quaternary ammonium structure of the molecule ensures this action is peripheral, concentrating the effect locally on the gut wall and resulting in diminished interaction with calcium channels in other organ systems.

Disruption of the Contraction Signaling Cascade

The sharp reduction in intracellular calcium concentration ( [Ca^2+] i) disrupts the fundamental excitation-contraction (EC) coupling pathway. This molecular sequence leads to the deactivation of the enzymes required for muscle shortening, thereby inhibiting the Actin-Myosin cross-bridge cycle. The resulting physiological consequence is a decrease in the intensity of spontaneous muscular contractions and the overall muscular activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Eldicet

The administration of Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) is guided by instructions detailing the dosage, timing, and method of oral intake.


Official Dosing and Administration

Property Instruction
Route of Administration The medication is taken by the oral route as a film-coated tablet.
Standard Adult Dose The usual adult dose is 50 mg three times a day (TID). The maximum daily dose should not exceed 300 mg.
Timing & Positioning The tablet must be taken during meals or snacks with a full glass of water. Do not swallow when in the lying position or just before bedtime.
Preparation The tablet must be swallowed whole; it must not be chewed, crushed, or sucked.
Missed Dose If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Course Duration The duration of treatment is not fixed and is determined by the specific disorder being addressed.
Age Restriction Use is not recommended for children due to limited data on safety and efficacy in the pediatric population.

Official Use Protocol Summary

Established protocols emphasize consistent daily use with specific positional and intake requirements. The primary pattern is oral administration three times per day. The co-administration with food and fluid, combined with the instruction to take the dose while upright, defines the procedural constraints for proper use of this medicine.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Phase 3 Clinical Trials

Research has explored the hypothesis that the compound's mechanism involves stimulation of a key regulatory pathway by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into intestinal smooth muscle cells (calcium-antagonist effect). Primary randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated changes in characteristic pain levels over a 12-week treatment period. Research examined quality of life outcomes as measured by validated questionnaires in adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

One primary study, conducted across 5 major medical centers, analyzed the compound’s profile in adults aged 18 to 65. The sample size included 450 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either the active compound or a placebo. Study data collected adverse events and tolerability for the treatment compared to the placebo arm. These findings were used to evaluate the drug's efficacy profile and contributed to the body of evidence concerning the compound.

Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics

Research examined whether the combination formulation influenced bioavailability of the active component. Eldicet is known to be poorly absorbed after oral administration, with low systemic bioavailability, which concentrates its action selectively within the gastrointestinal tract. Peak plasma concentration is typically reached within one hour.

Observed outcomes included changes in inflammatory biomarkers and explored outcomes related to symptom flare-up duration in patients who completed the initial 12-week RCT.

Ongoing Research and Future Directions

The compound is currently being studied in adolescents (ages 12-17) to determine its properties within this demographic. The studies evaluated the efficacy profile in a 6-month trial focusing on long-term safety and symptom control. The available research evidence may be reviewed by individuals and healthcare providers.

Key Studies & References

  1. Trimebutine Maleate and Pinaverium Bromide for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety and Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Eldicet (FAQ)


Q: What kind of stomach problems is Eldicet intended to help with?

A: Official documents indicate the medication is approved for the symptomatic relief of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is also used to help manage functional disorders that affect the biliary tract.

Q: Do studies support the use of Eldicet for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

A: Yes. Clinical trials and regulatory documents confirm the medication’s role in managing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). These studies support its use for the symptomatic relief of abdominal discomfort and pain associated with IBS.

Q: Is Eldicet used for both constipation and diarrhea symptoms?

A: Yes, official product information confirms that as an antispasmodic, its function is to normalize gut motility. This action allows it to be used to treat irregular bowel movements associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which can include both constipation and diarrhea.

Q: Is Eldicet an addictive medicine?

A: Regulatory information states that no habit-forming tendencies have been reported for this medication.

Q: Are there different strengths or versions of Eldicet available?

A: Yes, official product information indicates that the medication is available as both 50 mg and 100 mg film-coated tablets, depending on the region of use.

Q: Does Eldicet contain lactose or gluten?

A: Official product information states that the tablet formulations contain the excipient lactose monohydrate. The presence of lactose means there is a contraindication (a regulatory reason not to use it) for patients with specific rare hereditary conditions. Official labeling does not typically detail the presence or absence of gluten.

Q: Does Eldicet interact with common pain relievers?

A: Official labeling does not specifically list known interactions with common non-prescription pain relievers. The known interaction profile is primarily limited to specific drug classes, such as anticholinergics.

Q: Can Eldicet be taken for general stomach discomfort?

A: According to the official product information, the medication is intended for the symptomatic treatment of specific functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is not generally prescribed for vague or non-specific stomach discomfort.

Q: Is Eldicet the same as mebeverine?

A: No, official drug classification indicates they are different. Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) is classified as a selective calcium channel blocker, while mebeverine is a musculotropic antispasmodic agent. They relieve spasms through different mechanisms of action.

Q: What happens when you stop taking Eldicet?

A: Official guidelines state that discontinuing the medication suddenly should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Clinical studies suggest that the symptom relief may persist for a period of time after the treatment course is completed, which is known as a Post-Treatment Therapeutic Effect.

Q: How quickly should I expect Eldicet to start working?

A: Official regulatory documents state that the amount of time required for the medication to show its action, meaning symptomatic relief, has not been precisely established. This type of information is usually derived from clinical studies, and the onset can vary from person to person.

Q: How long does the effect of one dose of Eldicet last?

A: Official product information notes that the duration of the full therapeutic effect of a single dose of the medication has not been clinically established. The dosing schedule is based on maintaining consistent levels in the gastrointestinal tract throughout the day.

Q: What is the average duration of treatment with Eldicet?

A: The duration of treatment is not fixed and is determined by a healthcare provider based on the condition being treated and the patient’s response. However, studies show that courses managed by a physician often run for several weeks to months for symptom control.

Q: Can Eldicet be used long-term?

A: The length of treatment is determined by the specific disorder being addressed and how symptoms respond. Clinical studies have examined continuous use for periods ranging from several weeks to months for ongoing symptom management.

Q: Can I take Eldicet if I am already taking supplements or vitamins?

A: Official patient warnings indicate that a healthcare provider should be aware of all current medicines, including any herbal products and dietary supplements, due to the potential for unforeseen interactions.

Q: Can I take Eldicet with other medicines for stomach issues?

A: Regulatory documents note that co-administration with anticholinergic drugs can lead to an enhanced spasmolytic effect (a stronger spasm-relieving action). A healthcare provider should be aware of all other stomach medicines being taken to assess and manage potential interactions.

Q: Why is Eldicet sometimes prescribed alongside other digestive medicines?

A: Studies and official information suggest the medication may be used in combination with other drugs for comprehensive symptom management. For instance, co-administration with anticholinergic drugs is known to result in an enhanced spasm-relieving effect.

Q: What kinds of food or drinks should be avoided while taking Eldicet?

A: Official labeling advises caution regarding alcohol consumption because it may increase the risk of experiencing drowsiness or dizziness. No specific food-drug interactions are listed as contraindications in the official product information.

Q: Does Eldicet cause tiredness or fatigue?

A: The side effect listings include drowsiness (somnolence) as a potential effect, which is related to reduced alertness. However, fatigue or chronic tiredness is not explicitly listed as a common or uncommon adverse effect in the official safety profile.

Q: Can Eldicet interfere with sleep?

A: While drowsiness is listed as a potential side effect, some patient information states that the medicine's potential effect on sleep, specifically causing difficulty sleeping (insomnia), is not clinically established.

Q: Does Eldicet affect the liver or kidneys?

A: Official documents indicate that there is limited clinical data available concerning the safety and effectiveness of the medicine in patients who have pre-existing kidney or liver impairment. Therefore, use in individuals with these pre-existing conditions necessitates specific consultation with a healthcare provider.

Q: Has Eldicet been approved by the FDA?

A: Regulatory data indicates that the medication is widely used in countries like Europe and Canada. However, it is not broadly available in the United States, meaning it has not received widespread US FDA approval.

How should Eldicet be stored and disposed of?

Eldicet (pinaverium bromide) tablets must be stored strictly according to regulatory guidelines to maintain product stability and quality.

Storage Requirements

Condition Requirement (Official Labeling)
Maximum Temperature Store at temperatures not exceeding 30 C
Protection Must be protected from light
Packaging Keep in the original Alu/PVC blister pack
Stability The labeled shelf life is 36 months under these conditions

Disposal Instructions

Disposal of any unused or expired Eldicet product and its containers must be carried out in accordance with local regulation.

Regulators require that disposal should avoid release to the environment, and the contents/container must be directed to an appropriate treatment and disposal facility according to applicable laws.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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