Validol and Corvalol: drug compatibility and main differences

Updated: 04/23/2021 15:11:06

Expert: Abramova Tsilya

Validol and Corvalol are used as first aid for symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. They are sold over the counter and are very popular. We analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the drugs to determine which one is better and why.

Comparison of the effectiveness of Validol and Corvalol

Corvalol is more effective than Validol - this means that the ability of the drug substance to provide the maximum possible effect is different.
For example, if the therapeutic effect of Corvalol is more pronounced, then with Validol it is impossible to achieve this effect even in large doses.

Also, the speed of therapy is an indicator of the speed of the therapeutic action; Corvalol and Validol are also different, as is bioavailability - the amount of a drug substance reaching the place of its action in the body. The higher the bioavailability, the less it will be lost during absorption and use by the body.

Indications for use

Popular opinion says: if your heart hurts, take Corvalol or put a Validol tablet under your tongue. But doctors warn: such tactics are dangerous and can lead to complications. Popular “heart” medications do not actually treat angina and will not help with myocardial infarction - and this is clearly stated in the instructions. Instead of numbing the pain with drops and tablets, doctors advise not to waste time and immediately call an ambulance.

The annotation for the drug Validol states that it can only be used for functional cardialgia, when there are no organic reasons for the development of such symptoms. In other words, if your heart hurts from stress, Validol will calm you down, relieve tension, and remove pain. But if the discomfort and pain behind the sternum are caused by vasospasm, that is, angina pectoris and an impending myocardial infarction, the drug will not help and even harm. While the patient drinks drops or tablets, poor blood flow remains in the narrowed vessels, the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen - and dies.

Validol, according to the instructions, is also used for moderate neuroses as a sedative. It is also used for seasickness - it helps to cope with nausea and vomiting and alleviate the condition.

Corvalol is also prescribed exclusively as a symptomatic sedative for functional disorders of the heart (and we again return to chest pain caused by neurosis, but not a heart attack). In neurology, Corvalol is used for sleep disorders, states of agitation with pronounced vegetative manifestations.

The problem with “heart” drops is that they are almost always at hand and are taken thoughtlessly, without consulting a doctor. It is difficult for the patient to independently determine whether the pain in the heart is caused by excessive worries or a heart attack. Therefore, cardiologists advise that if any unpleasant symptoms appear, first call an ambulance. If the ECG shows normal, then the pain in the heart is functional, and only in this case can you use sedatives: Corvalol or Validol.

Comparison of the safety of Validol and Corvalol

The safety of a drug includes many factors.

At the same time, it is higher for Validol than for Corvalol. It is important where the drug is metabolized: drugs are excreted from the body either unchanged or in the form of products of their biochemical transformations. Metabolism occurs spontaneously, but most often involves major organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, brain and others. When assessing the metabolism of Validol, as well as Corvalol, we look at which organ is the metabolizing organ and how critical the effect on it is.

The risk-benefit ratio is when the prescription of a drug is undesirable, but justified under certain conditions and circumstances, with the obligatory observance of caution in use. At the same time, Validol has fewer risks when used than Corvalol.

Also, when calculating safety, it is taken into account whether only allergic reactions occur or possible dysfunction of the main organs. In other matters, as well as the reversibility of the consequences of using Validol and Corvalol.

Description of Corvalol

The combined action sedative Corvalol is produced in the form of drops and tablets by Farmak, Ukraine. Contains mint oil, phenobarbital, a-bromoisovaleric acid. Refers to drugs acting on the nervous system.

Corvalol is an antispasmodic that has an irritating effect on the receptors of the oral cavity and nasopharynx. As a result of this effect, there is a decrease in the excitation of the NS, inhibition of the pulsation of neurons in the cerebral cortex and a decrease in the activity of vasomotor centers.

All this allows you to reduce the severity of pain and eliminate spasms. The drug has a tranquilizing effect. The higher the dose, the stronger the inhibitory effect on neurons and reflectors. Absorption of the drug occurs in the oral cavity.

Contraindications

Corvalol is not used in case of hypersensitivity to the composition. It is contraindicated for children. When carrying a fetus, the drug can only be prescribed by a doctor according to strict indications.

Contraindications to taking the medicine will also be:

1. inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
2. severe pathologies of the kidneys and hepatobiliary system, hepatic porphyria.

Long-term use of Corvalol leads to addiction. There is a risk of bromine poisoning.

Side effects

Some patients report pain in the stomach area. There is a risk of kidney and liver failure. Frequent consequences of using Corvalol include dyspepsia, drowsiness, and slight dizziness. Allergic manifestations are possible.

Undesirable symptoms such as nystagmus, loss of coordination, tachycardia, ataxia, lacrimation, decreased blood pressure, shortness of breath, acne, and fatigue are less common.

Dosage

Corvalol is taken orally. The course of treatment and dosage are selected individually. Adults are usually prescribed 15-30 drops 3 times before meals. For tachycardia, a single dosage is 30-50 drops. For the treatment of children - should not exceed 15 drops/day.

An overdose is possible when using large doses of the medicine. Unpleasant symptoms from the NS and CVS appear. Patients experience heart rhythm disturbances, headaches, constant fatigue, and hypothermia. In this case, symptomatic treatment is indicated.

Who is it suitable for?

The medicine in drops and tablets Corvalol has the following indications for use:

1. disorders of the cardiovascular system of a functional nature;
2. as an antispasmodic for intestinal colic;
3. sleep disorders, insomnia;
4. neuroses with increased irritability;
5. tachycardia;
6. increased excitability of the nervous system.

Comparison of addiction between Validol and Corvalol

Like safety, addiction also involves many factors that must be considered when evaluating a drug.

So the totality of values ​​of such parameters as “o syndrome” in Corvalol is less than the similar values ​​in Validol. Withdrawal syndrome is a pathological condition that occurs after the cessation of intake of addictive or dependent substances into the body. And resistance is understood as initial immunity to a drug; in this it differs from addiction, when immunity to a drug develops over a certain period of time. The presence of resistance can only be stated if an attempt has been made to increase the dose of the drug to the maximum possible.

conclusions

Corvalol differs from Validol in its composition, the presence of bromine and phenobarbital, and ethyl alcohol. This drug is contraindicated in women during pregnancy and lactation, with epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, acute renal or liver failure, respiratory syndrome, drug or drug addiction. In this case, preference should be given to combined herbal preparations, such as Validol or analogues, without barbiturates in the composition. To prevent adverse reactions to the drug, you should consult a physician or cardiologist before taking it.

Comparison of side effects of Validol and Corvalol

Side effects or adverse events are any adverse medical event that occurs in a subject after administration of a drug.

Corvalol has more side effects than Validol. This implies that the frequency of their occurrence is low in Corvalol and low in Validol. Frequency of occurrence is an indicator of how many cases of an undesirable effect from treatment are possible and registered. The undesirable effect on the body, the strength of influence and the toxic effect of drugs are different: how quickly the body recovers after taking it and whether it recovers at all. When using Corvalol, the body's ability to recover faster is higher than that of Validol.

Difference between drugs

Corvalol has a stronger sedative effect. In addition to the sedative effect, it has an effect similar to a tranquilizer. Corvalol contains phenobarbital. Therefore, the drug is addictive with prolonged use. The drug should also not be taken for drug and alcohol addiction, unlike a similar sedative.

When to take Corvalol and when to take Validol

I take Validol to relieve pain in the heart area. The product helps with motion sickness, neurosis, and hysteria. Corvalol is taken for smooth muscle spasms due to diseases of the intestines and cardiovascular system. It is often used for high blood pressure, neuralgia, mild heart pain, and intestinal spasms.

Comparison of ease of use of Validol and Corvalol

This includes dose selection taking into account various conditions and frequency of doses. At the same time, it is important not to forget about the release form of the drug; it is also important to take it into account when making an assessment.

The ease of use of Validol is approximately the same as Corvalol. However, they are not convenient enough to use.

The drug ratings were compiled by experienced pharmacists who studied international research. The report is generated automatically.

Last update date: 2020-12-04 13:45:30

How do the drugs work and is there any benefit from “heart” drops?

Let's take a closer look at each of the drugs presented.

Validol

The instructions for the drug indicate that one tablet contains 100 mg of levomenthol, and the key word here is menthol. The drug is declared as a coronary dilator - a drug that dilates the blood vessels of the heart. Pharmaceutical reference books indicate that Validol reflexively dilates blood vessels due to irritation of nerve endings and thereby increases blood flow. Many people believe that if you put a mint candy (which is essentially Validol) under the tongue, it will act on the blood vessels of the heart through the receptors of the oral cavity. However, there is no evidence of this: no clinical studies have been conducted to prove the reflex effect of the drug.

The opinion that Validol helps with heart disease is widespread only in Russian-language literature. The reference books indicate that the drug stimulates the production of endorphins, enkephalins and other biologically active substances that change vascular permeability and relieve pain. However, there is no such information in the international literature. Abroad, they know nothing about validol - and if we look at the Cochrane Library or the largest medical knowledge base PubMed, we will not find any mention of this drug there. There is no evidence that Validol improves coronary blood flow by acting through receptors in the oral cavity.

Corvalol

Corvalol is a generic, domestic analogue of the German drug Valocardin. But like the foreign original, it is recognized as a means of unproven effectiveness.

The instructions for Corvalol indicate that the effect of the drug is due to the components included in its composition:

1. It is contained in low doses and has a sedative effect (in case of an overdose it will work as a hypnotic). It binds to GABA receptors, reduces the excitability of the central nervous system and facilitates the onset of sleep, relaxes muscles and relieves spasms. There is no evidence that phenobarbital can dilate the coronary vessels and increase blood flow to the heart, or relieve an attack of angina or myocardial infarction.
2. α-bromoisovaleric acid ethyl ester acts much like valerian extract. It is a sedative and antispasmodic - it soothes and relieves muscle spasms.
3. Peppermint affects the muscles and calms the nervous system, but there is little on this issue.

In 2007, the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences removed analogues of Valocardin, including Corvalol, from the list of vital drugs. The drug is considered an outdated product with unproven effectiveness.

Interaction with other tools

When undergoing treatment with a sedative such as Corvalol, you must be careful, as combining other drugs with it can increase the side effects. It is strictly forbidden to take Corvalol in combination with other drugs with a similar composition, painkillers, allergy medications and sleeping pills. In addition to the occurrence and intensification of side effects, the risk of overdose cannot be excluded.

In addition, you should refrain from drinking alcohol while undergoing treatment with Corvalol. Life-threatening allergic reactions may occur.

In comparison with its analogue, Validol does not complicate therapy with other means. The combination of this drug with neurotropic drugs promotes rapid falling asleep and sound sleep. And taking nitrates simultaneously with Validol relieves headaches. However, you should refrain from taking sedatives to avoid the risk of overdose.

If the permissible dose of Validol is exceeded, the following are possible:

• migraine;
• dysfunction of the central nervous system;
• intolerance to individual components of the drug;
• dizziness.

If an overdose occurs, you should immediately cancel the course of treatment with the drug, rinse your stomach and consult a doctor.

Instructions for use

Each drug has its own application characteristics:

1. The drug Corvalol is intended for internal use. The instructions for using Corvalol in drops are as follows: before eating, the medicine (15-30 drops) must be dissolved in a small volume of water (no more than 50 ml). It is recommended to take Corvalol twice a day.

   
   If a person suffers from tachycardia, the doctor may increase the dose of a single dose of medication to 50 drops. If the medicine is in tablet form, you need to take 1-2 tablets twice a day. In any case, the dose and duration of medication should be discussed with your doctor.

2. 1-2 tablets of Validol are dissolved under the tongue. The maximum daily dose is 4 tablets. The course of treatment should not exceed 7 days.

Analogs

There are several analogues of Validol, which have a similar set of components and principle of action on the body. The most famous of them are:

1. Corvalment. It is a combined cardiological drug. Indications for use coincide with the indications for taking Validol; it is also often used for insomnia and has a mild hypnotic effect. The medicine is produced in the form of yellow soft gelatin capsules.

2. 
   Alvisan. It is often used as part of a complex treatment of various disorders of the cardiovascular system, which are accompanied by a periodic decrease in blood pressure. In addition, Alvisan is often prescribed by doctors as a sedative.

3. Advocard. Normalizes myocardial metabolism and is used to prevent angina attacks.

Corvalol has no less effective analogues, which have similar components in their complex and have a calming effect and a vasodilator effect. The most well-known means that lead to the desired results are:

1. Barboval. It has antispasmodic and hypotensive properties. Compared to Corvalol, the effect of Barboval lasts longer and has fewer side effects.
2. Valocordin. Acts as a mild sleeping pill and has a sedative effect.
3. Corvaldin. Facilitates the onset of natural sleep and has a hypotensive effect.

Adverse reactions

The drugs differ in composition, so we will consider unwanted symptoms separately for each drug.

Validol

The drug is quite well tolerated and rarely causes serious adverse reactions. During therapy, nausea, dizziness, and lacrimation are sometimes observed due to reflex irritation of the mucous membrane. Allergic reactions are possible.

Corvalol

Phenobarbital in the drug is the most problematic component. It depresses the central nervous system and can lead to serious adverse reactions. The drug has a narrow therapeutic window: the difference between the therapeutic and toxic dosage is insignificant. It is difficult to find a dose that calms but does not lead a person to a coma, which is why in recent years doctors have been using Corvalol less and less in the treatment of various diseases.

The following side effects often occur with the use of Corvalol:

1. drowsiness;
2. dizziness;
3. decreased concentration;
4. slow heart rate;
5. allergic reactions.

All symptoms, except allergies, are dose-dependent and go away when the dosage of the drug is reduced.

With prolonged use of Corvalol, drug dependence develops and withdrawal syndrome develops when therapy is stopped. Possible accumulation of an auxiliary substance (bromine) and the development of bromism (depression, apathy, lethargy).

Which remedy is more effective?

It would not be entirely correct to give a definite answer to such a question. Although the two medications are sometimes used interchangeably, they are intended to treat different diseases and relieve their symptoms. For frequent headaches and feelings of anxiety, Validol will help better. In addition, it is able to stabilize the heart rhythm.

Its undoubted advantage is that it does not accumulate in the body.

Corvalol, in turn, will have a greater effect on neuroses and vascular spasms. It would also be appropriate to use it for hypertension. However, a significant disadvantage of this medicine is its accumulation in the body during treatment. The drug may cause psychological addiction.

Thus, the definite answer to the question of the effectiveness of drugs depends on the disease and the specific clinical picture.

General information about Validol

Validol is a medication that is also a sedative and has a moderate reflex vasodilator effect, stabilizes the central nervous system, and also helps relieve attacks of nausea and headaches.

General information about Validol

Taking the drug helps increase the level of enkephalins and endorphins - peptides that regulate vascular permeability. The effect can be observed after an average of five minutes. The components of the drug are menthol solution and methyl ether. Validol is produced in the form of white tablets, less often in the form of capsules.

General information about Corvalol

Corvalol is a soothing combination medicine that contains menthol, a mixture of ethyl alcohol (96%) and phenobarbital (1.82%). The medicine also consists of sodium hydroxide, water and peppermint oil. Ethyl alcohol promotes vasodilation and has antispasmodic properties when taken at the usual dose (20 drops), and when taken at the maximum dose it provides a hypnotic effect.

Composition of Corvalol

The drug is taken orally. It is produced in the form of drops and sold in glass vials. Considering the components included in its composition and the effect it has on the body, Corvalol can be considered an analogue of the foreign medicine Valocordin.