Corvalol
- a combination drug consisting of several active ingredients. The composition of Corvalol is as follows (starting with the strongest component and ending with the weakest):
- Ethyl alcohol 95%
. According to many doctors, this is almost the main active ingredient of Corvalol. Ethyl alcohol (aka alcohol) has a sedative (calming, inhibitory) effect on the nervous system, and through it on the entire body. Its second effect is an analgesic, and this effect applies to all types of pain. In large doses it can cause a state of anesthesia with complete loss of consciousness and pain sensitivity. It is a psychoactive substance that can change and darken consciousness and cause mental and physical dependence. - Phenobarbital
. Sleeping substance. Just like alcohol, it has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, causing a decrease in pain sensitivity. The second most powerful active ingredient (after ethyl alcohol) is Corvalol. Just like ethyl alcohol, it is a psychoactive substance and can cause addiction. When combined with alcohol, phenobarbital produces a strong sedative effect that affects all psychosomatic symptoms. - Peppermint leaf oil
. The main component is menthol, which provides a slight analgesic and calming effect. - Ethyl bromoisovalerianate
(ethyl ester of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid). It is the active ingredient of the essential oil of a plant such as Valerian officinalis (or “Cat grass”). This perennial herb has been known for its calming effects since antiquity.
Available in bottles of 15 and 25 milliliters. The recommended dose of Corvalol is 15-30 drops orally at a time, up to 2 or 3 times a day.
Medicines similar to Corvalol are common in our country: valocordin, valoserdin, corvaldin.
Compound
The main active ingredient in Corvalol is phenobarbital. This component has a relaxing effect on the human nervous system, improves sleep, relieves emotional stress and vascular spasm. One tablet contains 7.5 milligrams of active substance. Peppermint extract has a sedative effect on the body. One tablet contains 8.5 milligrams of plant oil. Among the auxiliary components, alpha-bromoisovaleric acid is a substance with an effect similar to valerian. Corvalol also contains some excipients, such as potato starch, cellulose, magnesium stearate and others.
Corvalol for hypertension: does it increase or decrease blood pressure?
The use of the drug for the correction of blood pressure is due to the presence of bromoisovaleric acid ester and phenobarbital in the drug. The combination of active substances promotes a reflex decrease in arterial tone, expansion of the lumen and a drop in indicators.
In addition, the effectiveness of Corvalol for hypertension (especially in women) is due to the calming effect of the drug, since strong feelings contribute to increased blood pressure.
Abuse of the drug contributes to a drop in values to a collaptoid (unconscious) state.
pharmachologic effect
The therapeutic effect of the tablets is due to their composition. The drug has a calming effect, helps relieve emotional stress, and promotes the rapid onset of natural sleep. Peppermint essential oil expands the lumen of veins and capillaries, restores blood flow. This helps relieve spasms and normalize blood pressure. Once on the mucous membrane of the mouth, the oil acts primarily on the blood vessels of the brain and heart muscle. In addition, mint normalizes the peristalsis of the digestive organs, relieving a person of flatulence and other unpleasant symptoms.
Who should use Corvalol?
What does Corvalol tablets help with? This form of the drug is used among patients with the following conditions:
- neuroses of various origins. In this case, Corvalol is prescribed as one of the components of complex therapy;
- in conditions characterized by increased excitability of the central nervous system;
- during insomnia;
- for pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
- with coronary heart disease, tachycardia, spasms of the coronary arteries;
- in the early stages of hypertension;
- for the treatment of patients with spasms in the digestive system;
- to relieve the tone of the autonomic nervous system.
Corvalol is prescribed for insomnia, stress, and cardiovascular diseases.
Corvalol tablets are indicated for calming severe emotional stress and stress. Corvalol also helps to cope with fatigue after heavy mental stress.
Indications
The medicine is indicated when functional disorders occur and is ineffective when there are pronounced organic changes. It can be taken for anxiety, a slight jump in blood pressure, agitation, irritability, vegetative disorders (weakness, redness of the skin, excessive sweating).
The drug can be used occasionally to facilitate falling asleep, but sleep is not entirely physiological, so regular use for this purpose is undesirable. The medication helps relieve intestinal spasms, but this effect is insignificant.
Method of administration and dose
How to take Corvalol tablets? The dose of the drug should be selected by the attending physician based on a study of the patient’s medical history and diagnosis. Typically, adults are prescribed 3 tablets per day. The method of administration depends on the patient's preference. The tablet can be placed under the tongue, dissolved slowly, or swallowed with plenty of water. Drinking Corvalol is allowed regardless of the time of eating. You are allowed to take no more than 6 tablets per day. The duration of therapy is selected individually by a specialist.
Important! During an attack of tachycardia, accompanied by rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath, a single dose of the medicine can be increased to 3 tablets.
Overdose
Overdose symptoms:
- low blood pressure;
- excessive excitability;
- lethargy;
- unclear consciousness.
In case of a severe overdose of the substance, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia, respiratory problems, and in rare cases, coma or severe outcome may be observed.
In case of side effects, you should stop taking Corvalol, rinse your stomach, eliminate caffeine from your daily diet, and give up nicotine.
Contraindications
Instructions for use of Corvalol tablets indicate the following contraindications to the use of the drug:
- intolerance to the constituent components of the drug;
- severe kidney pathologies;
- liver diseases, cirrhosis;
- breastfeeding period.
It is prohibited to use the medicine among drivers and other patients whose work activities require increased concentration. This is explained by the active components included in Corvalol, which have a calming and relaxing effect on the central nervous system.
Possible side effects
The drug very rarely provokes negative effects and complications. Some patients experience the following conditions:
- nausea, less often vomiting;
- apathy, decreased concentration;
- mild pain in the stomach;
- slight headache, sometimes dizziness;
- abnormal heart rate;
- allergic rashes on the body.
Dyspeptic disorders that occur during treatment with Corvalol indicate the development of an overdose
If you do not stop taking the medication in a timely manner, addiction or accumulation of bromine in the body may develop. The appearance of these side effects is evidenced by such manifestations as depression, reluctance to communicate with other people, nasal congestion, acne on the body, and nervous disorders.
To avoid such complications, Corvalol should be taken only as prescribed by the attending physician, strictly following the regimen and dosage of the drug.
Doctors' attitude
Experts assess the need and benefits of the drug differently. Some doctors believe that due to the presence of phenobarbital, which is part of the group of barbiturates, the drug should be included in the prescription list. Uncontrolled use can cause serious side effects, poisoning and addiction. Another argument in favor of this position is that the medicine temporarily relieves symptoms but does not cure anything. Because of this, patients with serious pathologies do not seek medical help on time.
Other doctors indicate that the remedy benefits a large number of people. It relieves pain in mild myocardial ischemia and has a fairly pronounced antiarrhythmic effect. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the condition of patients with cardioneurosis, a widespread disease in which heart pain is caused by psychological factors. And it is very inexpensive, which is important for older people, who are the main group of consumers.
Analogues of the drug
The following drug analogues have a therapeutic effect similar to Corvalol:
- Valocordin drops - a phenobarbital-based drug used for insomnia, neuralgic disorders, sinus tachycardia, early stages of hypertension and other diseases;
- Corvaltab tablets are a drug that has a vasodilator effect, a moderate antispasmodic, and sedative effect. The drug is based on phenobarbital and includes mint oil and other auxiliary components. Indications for use include insomnia, tachycardia, the initial stage of hypertension, intestinal spasms caused by emotional outbursts, and other conditions;
- Reladorm is a combined medication. Its active components help normalize sleep, relieve vascular spasm and nervous tension. The medicine contains diazepam, calcium cyclobarbital;
- Barboval drops – have a hypotensive, antispasmodic, and coronary dilation effect. For sleep disorders, conditions accompanied by tachycardia, high blood pressure, and emotional stress, it is recommended to drink 10–15 drops of the medicine diluted in water. Sometimes the dose can reach up to 25 drops as prescribed by a doctor;
- Corvaldin drops are a drug that has a sedative, antispasmodic, and hypnotic effect. The drug is based on ethyl bromizovalerianate, phenobarbital and mint oil. Corvaldin is indicated for insomnia, irritability, tachycardia, spasms of the intestinal tract and some other conditions;
- Corvalol phyto - contains motherwort, ethyl bromizovalerate, mint oil and other components. The product has an antispasmodic and sedative effect. Taking the drug slows the heart rate while increasing heart contractions. Medicine is prescribed for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous disorders, insomnia and other conditions;
- Corvalcaps capsules - contains α-bromoisovaleric acid, which has a calming, sedative effect and helps eliminate smooth muscle tone. Phenobarbital relieves nervous tension and promotes rapid sleep. Corvalcaps is used for conditions associated with sleep disorders, nervous feelings, tachycardia, spasm of the coronary vessels, the initial stage of hypertension and other diseases.
Corvalcaps is one of the analogues of Corvalol, which has a similar composition and therapeutic effect
Important! Analogues should be selected based on an examination of the patient and the diagnosis made by the attending physician; self-medication can cause lasting harm to the body.
special instructions
The presence of phenobarbital in the drug sometimes contributes to the development of syndromes such as Steven-Johnson or Leilla, which is especially important at the initial stage of taking the drug. Ethanol and phenobarbitol are the main components of the drops, their turnover is 55%. The alcohol concentration in small doses is 250 mg, which corresponds to 6.5 ml of beer. While taking the drug, the following are possible:
- dizziness;
- lethargy;
- drowsiness;
- violation of coordination of actions.
During the period of treatment with the drug:
- It is prohibited to drink alcohol;
- It is not recommended to engage in potentially dangerous activities, including driving.
You can buy the drug at any pharmacy. Tablets and drops in containers of 15 and 25 ml are available without a prescription. Vials containing 50 ml of the substance are sold with a prescription.
The shelf life of drops is 2.5 years, tablets - 24 months from the date of production.
The medication should be stored at room temperature.
Interaction with other drugs
When prescribing Corvalol, the following features of its interaction with other medications are taken into account:
- drugs that have a suppressive effect on the central nervous system increase the therapeutic effect of Corvalol;
- Corvalol enhances the effect of painkillers;
- phenobarbital reduces the effect of drugs metabolized in the liver (hormones, oral contraceptives, coumarin derivatives);
- medications based on valproic acid also enhance the effect of Corvalol.
During treatment with other drugs, Corvalol tablets should be taken only as prescribed by a specialist.
Other Adverse Effects
Self-medication when refusing examination and qualified medical care can lead to delayed diagnosis of serious diseases, worsening the prognosis and increasing the likelihood of developing serious complications: hypertensive crises, strokes, heart attacks.
Some patients, even with a diagnosis and prescribed treatment, continue to prefer Corvalol, as a well-known and fast-acting remedy. However, unlike antiplatelet agents, antihypertensive drugs or statins, the drug does not affect the mechanisms of development of disorders in any way - it only masks existing symptoms.
Don't forget about habit and the placebo effect. With constant use, the next dose in itself becomes a calming ritual and looks like taking care of your health. The apparent effectiveness of treatment may be due to psychological factors, and not at all to the effect of the drug. It turns out that a person is in vain poisoning his body with barbiturates, but does not receive the necessary treatment.
Compatibility of Corvalol with alcohol
It has been proven that the combination of alcoholic beverages with Corvalol in any order can cause serious complications. This is explained by the fact that alcohol increases blood pressure, and Corvalol, on the contrary, stabilizes the heart rate. The imposition of such influences entails an imbalance in the body, which is accompanied by the destruction of tissue of the heart muscle and blood vessels. In addition, if you drink a large dose of Corvalol immediately after drinking alcohol, there is a risk of heart damage and rupture of the myocardial wall.
Is it possible during pregnancy?
Despite the fact that Corvalol is a mild sedative medicine, it is not recommended to take it while pregnant. The risk of developing negative consequences in this situation outweighs the benefits. In the first trimester of pregnancy, taking any sedatives is prohibited. The active components of the drug can negatively affect the developing nervous system of the fetus. In subsequent trimesters, the methods and dosage of taking the medication must be discussed with your doctor.
The prescription of Corvalol during pregnancy is carried out exclusively by a doctor.
Is the medication harmful and how long can you take it?
Corvalol is a drug that belongs to the category of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals due to its relative safety, however, dosage and method of administration determine possible undesirable effects.
The active metabolites of the drug have insufficient concentrations to cause toxic effects when taken in standard courses. Longer use is accompanied by the accumulation of metabolic products in tissues and the appearance of signs of chronic overdose.
Withdrawal from the drug is carried out gradually due to the possible development of withdrawal syndrome (high blood pressure, tachycardia, facial flushing, irritability).
Main contraindications to taking Corvalol:
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug (most often to bromine);
- pregnancy: in the first 16 weeks the drug is absolutely contraindicated, in the third trimester - in the absence of other drugs, single use is allowed;
- lactation period: phenobarbital passes through breast milk to the baby during feeding, which has a depressing effect on the formation of the nervous system;
- heart failure with signs of blood stagnation;
- renal and/or liver failure.
Most often, the drug is prescribed to adults; clinical studies of effectiveness in children have not been conducted.
Use in pediatrics
Most pediatricians do not recommend prescribing Corvalol to children under 12 years of age. Sometimes in emergency situations it is allowed to take the drug once a day, the dose is determined by the doctor. For the treatment of nervous disorders, sleep disorders and other conditions requiring the use of sedatives and sedatives, a special form of medication was developed - Corvalol Kids. This medication, which includes herbal ingredients, does not contain chemical or toxic additives.
Important! Corvalol Kids has passed all the necessary quality tests, does not cause side effects, and can be prescribed to children of all ages.
Development of addiction
Uncontrolled use of the drug leads to addiction, not only psychological, but also physical. The person becomes distracted and suffers from deterioration of memory and attention. Movement disorders are possible, especially in old age.
If you stop taking it abruptly, withdrawal syndrome develops. A person is worried about increasing weakness, constant anxiety, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and tremors of the limbs. Fainting is possible. In severe cases, seizures occur, and some patients experience delirium.
