"Corvalol": harm and benefit, instructions for use, dosage. "Corvalol": contraindications, side effects. Healing effect or self-hypnosis

Colorless drops with a pungent odor, a favorite medicine for the elderly, which “relieves like a hand” pain in the heart, anxiety, fear and insomnia - Corvalol, a drug developed in the Soviet Union, which will celebrate its centennial anniversary in the near future. In the official medical literature, Corvalol is called a drug with complex action on the body, but in fact, Corvalol should not be considered a medicine as such. Yes, this drug really has a bright pronounced action, helps in some situations, but really serious illness hearts cannot be cured with its help - and this must be remembered first of all.

Healing effect or self-hypnosis?

Within the territory of former USSR Corvalol has long since become universal medicine"from everything", but actually of any use in the treatment of serious disorders of cardio-vascular system Corvalol can not be considered in any case. The only, by and large, effect of Corvalol is the expansion blood vessels through the impact on smooth muscle walls of blood vessels, which complements the sedative, sedative effect. In many cases, Corvalol is really useful and quickly relieves certain symptoms - but only due to the fact that these symptoms are not caused by any serious illness, but stress. “All diseases are from the nerves” - it is precisely this well-known saying that explains the “miraculous” effectiveness of Corvalol. It is worth taking it only when it is necessary to suppress stress and the unpleasant symptoms caused by it: pain in the heart associated with excitement, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness. These symptoms are alleviated by phenobarbital, the main ingredient in Corvalol, which has been used for decades since the early twentieth century as a sedative and a cure for insomnia.

How to take corvalol

The recommended dosage for Corvalol, as such, does not exist. For removal certain symptoms it is recommended to take at least fifteen drops of Corvalol two to three times a day, stirring the drops in in large numbers liquids. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to thirty drops, in special occasions(for example, with severe pain in the chest, acute tachycardia) - up to forty to fifty drops. Nevertheless, you should not experiment with the dosage and increase it yourself - a harmless, at first glance, drug, Corvalol may well cause an overdose. The main symptoms of an overdose of Corvalol are some disorders associated with the suppression of the activity of the central nervous system: corvalol and at a normal dosage slows down the reaction, and in case of an overdose it causes lethargy, lethargy, a weak reaction to what is happening around, slurred speech. Finally, take Corvalol constantly at large quantities It is also not worth it because this drug can be addictive. The consequences of addiction are quite natural: a gradual decrease in the effectiveness of a normal dose of the drug, which leads to the need to increase the dose, and gradually increasing symptoms similar to overdose symptoms - the same lethargy, lethargy, impaired reaction and coordination of movements. You can not take Corvalol at the same time as alcohol, which enhances the effect of Corvalol, exacerbates the minor side effects it causes - for example, the aforementioned impaired coordination and weakening of the reaction.

What is dangerous Corvalol

Basic sleep (insomnia), depression, anxiety.

Indications for admission

Many older people are accustomed to drinking Corvalol for any ailments: for pain in the heart, insomnia, nervous stress, and even for pain in the abdomen. And it does help. But can they sleep, relieves muscle spasm from the walls of blood vessels and internal organs. It is used when breastfeeding a child. It should also not be taken when driving vehicles and performing other work requiring increased concentration attention.

Since Corvalol enhances the effect of any other sedative drugs, they joint application must be agreed with the doctor. Corvalol enhances the effect of alcohol, so their joint intake is also not recommended.

Side effects and overdose

Corvalol is a favorite domestic remedy for the treatment of various nervous and cardiovascular disorders and is usually well tolerated. Sometimes when taking it, drowsiness and slight dizziness during the day, which disappear when the dose is reduced. Nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions are also possible.

At long-term use large doses may develop chronic poisoning bromine: depression (bad mood for a long time), indifference to the environment (apathy), runny nose, lacrimation and irritation of the conjunctiva, skin rash, including hemorrhagic (in the form pinpoint hemorrhages) character, violation of coordination of movements. If Corvalol is used for a very long time, it may develop drug addiction(one of the types of substance abuse), which is especially pronounced when separated from the drug.

Women should also be aware that Corvalol can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptive drugs. The effect of some other drugs also decreases, so it is better to consult a doctor before taking Corvalol.

Colorless drops with a pungent odor, a favorite medicine for the elderly, which “relieves pain in the heart like a hand” Pain in the heart - be sure to consult a doctor , anxiety, fear and insomnia - Corvalol, a drug developed in the Soviet Union, which in the near future will celebrate its centenary. In the official medical literature, Corvalol is called a drug with a complex effect on the body, but in fact, Corvalol should not be considered a medicine as such. Yes, this drug really has a pronounced effect, it helps in some situations, but really serious heart diseases cannot be cured with it - and this must be remembered first of all.

Healing effect or self-hypnosis?

On the territory of the former USSR, Corvalol has long turned into a universal medicine "for everything", but in fact, Corvalol cannot be considered in any way useful in the treatment of serious disorders of the cardiovascular system. The only, by and large, effect of Corvalol is the expansion of blood vessels due to the effect on the smooth muscles of the walls of blood vessels, which complements the sedative, sedative effect.

“All diseases are from the nerves” - it is this well-known saying that explains the “miraculous” effectiveness of Corvalol. It is worth taking it only when it is necessary to suppress stress and the unpleasant symptoms caused by it: pain in the heart associated with excitement, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness. These symptoms are alleviated by phenobarbital, the main ingredient in Corvalol, which has been used as a sedative for decades since the early twentieth century. Sedatives - take valerian and be happy? and cure for insomniaMedicines for insomnia .

How to take corvalol

The recommended dosage for Corvalol, as such, does not exist. To relieve certain symptoms, it is recommended to take at least fifteen drops of Corvalol two to three times a day, stirring the drops in a small amount liquids. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to thirty drops, in special cases (for example, with severe chest pain, acute tachycardia) - up to forty to fifty drops. Nevertheless, you should not experiment with the dosage and increase it yourself - a harmless, at first glance, drug, Corvalol may well cause an overdose.

Finally, taking Corvalol constantly in large quantities is also not worth it because this drug can be addictive. The consequences of addiction are quite natural: a gradual decrease in the effectiveness of a normal dose of the drug, which leads to the need to increase the dose, and gradually increasing symptoms similar to overdose symptoms - the same lethargy, lethargy, impaired reaction and coordination of movements. You can not take Corvalol at the same time as alcohol, which enhances the effect of Corvalol, exacerbates the minor side effects it causes - for example, the aforementioned impaired coordination and weakening of the reaction.

What is dangerous Corvalol

The main ingredients of Corvalol are - ethanol, phenobarbital and ethyl bromisovalerianate, which have a very unpleasant property to accumulate in the body, causing poisoning of internal organs. The consequences of long-term use of Corvalol are not only addiction, which is dangerous in itself, but also an increased risk of poisoning, which can significantly worsen the functioning of the liver, kidneys and other internal organs. In addition, regular intake of corvalol in a sufficiently large amount can lead to the formation of a kind of dependence - in conditions of addiction, a sharp cessation of taking corvalol can lead to the appearance of distinct symptoms of the “withdrawal syndrome”, including memory impairment, sleep disturbance (insomnia), depression, anxiety.

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1 General description and composition of the drug

Corvalol is almost the most popular drug in the CIS countries. About 150 million packages of this medicine are purchased annually in the CIS countries. Far from always buying it for an existing disease, in the vast majority of cases, "Corvalol" is taken "just in case."

Corvalol does not directly affect the heart, although many patients think otherwise. In fact, this drug has a sedative effect that calms the patient's nervous system.

Samo the medicine consists of the following components:

ethyl ester of a-bromoisovaleric acid;
filtered water;
sodium hydroxide;
phenobarbital;
peppermint in the form of oil.

A serious drawback of such a drug is the addiction of the patient. Moreover, the patient not only starts taking Corvalol daily, but also increases the dose in the hope of a more effective and lasting effect of the drug.
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1.1 Purpose and benefits of application

The constituent components of Corvalol have a pronounced effect on many human diseases (mainly neurological). So corvalol is useful to deal with the following problems:

Disorders of the cardiovascular system (arrhythmias, tachycardia).
Sleeplessness and irritability.
Hypochondria and suspiciousness.
Vegetovascular dystonia.
With a low persistent rise in blood pressure.

It is worth noting that usually this medicine assigned not as self-treatment diseases listed above, but only as ancillary treatment. Corvalol enhances overall effect therapy, and in the acute onset of the disease (for example, sinus tachycardia or panic attack) is a means for the rapid relief of an attack.
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1.2 Who prescribes the course of treatment?

Despite the fact that this medicine can be purchased without a prescription, you should still consult your doctor before purchasing it. If the medicine is required for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, then you need to consult with a cardiologist or vascular surgeon.

In the presence of neurological diseases (VSD, hypochondria, panic attacks), before buying the drug, you should consult a psychotherapist or neurologist. In case of insomnia, consultation should be carried out either with a general practitioner or with a neurologist.

It is important to understand that pharmacists in a pharmacy are not authorized to prescribe medication to clients. Therefore, it is dangerous to purchase Corvalol based on the opinion of a pharmacist.
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2 Harm from taking Corvalol

In addition to the previously described disadvantage in the form of addiction, Corvalol has other significant disadvantages. So the combination of phenobarbital with an alcohol solution depresses the functions of the central nervous system and disrupts the coordination of movements.

Intoxication with these components of Corvalol, which occurs during an overdose, can even cause death. The critical dose that can already cause death is half a standard bottle of Corvalol.

When interacting with tranquilizers and other sedatives complications may also arise. So phenobarbital, which is a component of Corvalol, upon contact with the listed drugs, significantly enhances their effect.

As a result, the effect of sedatives increases so much that the patient becomes lethargic, sleepy and inhibited. Even stupor and deep abnormal sleep.

What is obvious, all the listed complications of taking Corvalol are somehow connected with its incorrect use. Moderately increased dosage or a combination of the drug with its analogues can lead to serious consequences, sometimes even causing a fatal outcome (especially in elderly patients).
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2.1 Norm: how many drops of Corvalol can I drink?

The drug is approved for use for those patients who are over 18 years old. The standard dosage of the drug applies to all ages, starting from 18 years. That is, simply put, it is universal.

drug without fear can be taken in the following doses:

For neurological diseases: the dose is 15-20 drops, no more than three times a day.
In diseases of the cardiovascular system: you can drink no more than 40 drops per day, no more than three times a day.
For the prevention of panic attacks: you can take 10-15 drops per day.

In some cases, the dose can be slightly increased, but only after a mandatory consultation with the doctor. Ignoring this rule will result in serious consequences(including death).
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2.2 How many days can I take Corvalol?

Effects prolonged use corvalol have been studied quite well and on this moment are considered non-hazardous. The main effects of long-term use are only dry mouth and psychological dependence from the drug.

The drug does not have a toxic effect on all internal organs in general, and on the kidneys with the liver in particular. Only in elderly patients may be observed chronic intoxication bromine (found in phenobarbital, composite component corvalol).

This condition rarely becomes a serious independent disease. Typically, bromine intoxication is characterized by drowsiness, depression and apathy. If these symptoms appear, the drug should be temporarily discontinued and contact your doctor.
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2.3 Lethal dosage

The maximum dose of the drug at which the body can cope with the load and remove excess is 150 drops. However, in those patients with chronic renal or liver failure this dose can be lethal.

The consequences of taking a dose exceeding 150 drops are severe poisoning and death with a high degree of probability (even in healthy people). It is estimated that lethal dosage is 0.1-0.3 grams per 1 kilogram of body weight patient. On average, this is 20 grams of medicine.
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2.4 Causes of corvalol poisoning

The causes of mild and severe corvalol poisoning are not as simple as it seems at first glance. The main component contained in the drug is absolutely safe in recommended doses, but in high doses it is fatal. To be more precise, then we are talking about phenobarbital.

In high doses, it strongly inhibits psychomotor reactions and causes coordination disorders. In ultra-high doses, it disrupts the conduction of the nerves of the heart, causing it to stop.

Moreover, this component can be dangerous in normal doses, but only in some cases. Namely:

with the concomitant use of alcoholic beverages;
when combined with pure alcohol;
when used with tranquilizers;
when used with sedative drugs;
when used with antiemetic drugs.

3 Why is overdose dangerous?

Poisoning with this drug due to an overdose is fraught with both serious health consequences and, in more rare cases, fatal. An overdose is especially dangerous in cases where alcohol was taken the day before.

Alcohol is a catalyst for the components of Corvalol, which only aggravates the situation in case of an overdose. An excessive dose of Corvalol and drunk alcohol often cause collapse, severe coma and death.

Insidious poisoning with this drug is also because the patient is in deep sedation similar to complete apathy and stupor. As a result, the patient does not even realize that he is in a critical condition, so he cannot orient himself in time and call ambulance.
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3.1 Symptoms of an overdose of Corvalol

Symptoms acute intoxication Corvalol are quite expressive, so many doctors even without clinical research blood can accurately diagnose.

Signs of such intoxication at its simplest, the following:

drowsiness;
general weakness;
lethargy and distraction;
a slight decrease in muscle strength;
Difficulties in pronouncing complex sentences.

Symptoms of moderate intoxication:

prolonged pathological sleep (it is very difficult to wake the patient up);
salivation;
severe muscle weakness;
convulsions;
lack of urge to urinate;
pupil dilation.

Symptoms of severe poisoning:

lack of consciousness;
coma;
respiratory failure (patient breathes shallow, often);
drop in blood pressure;
wheezing in the lungs;
tachycardia with a heart rate exceeding 130 beats;
cyanosis of the skin.

3.2 Danger of Corvalol (video)

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3.3 First aid and treatment

First aid is possible only with easy course overdose of corvalol. In this case, it is necessary to carry out a thorough gastric lavage of the patient as soon as possible. To do this, you need to give him about 20 grams activated carbon and a liter of warm liquid.

A laxative (salt-based) and cleansing enemas. After the bowel cleansing, the patient should be given an enveloping drink.

With an average and severe course overdose, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible. Attempts to clear the stomach and intestines of the patient on their own are futile, since he is not able to take a sip.
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3.4 Which doctor should I contact?

Corvalol intoxication can be treated by a general practitioner, toxicologist and gastroenterologist. Therefore, when calling an ambulance, you need to be guided by some rules.

So the dispatcher should be asked to send a highly specialized team of doctors (therapist, toxicologist or gastroenterologist). Also, the dispatcher should be informed that not a linear team is required, but an intensive care team.

The fact is that the linear ambulance crews do not have special equipment on board to restore pressure and heart rate patient. Only specialized resuscitation teams (so-called reanimobiles) have such equipment.

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The composition and principle of action of Corvalol

Corvalol is combined remedy, it contains both vegetable and synthetic components - alpha-bromoisovaleric acid ester, phenobarbital, sodium hydroxide to dissolve phenobarbital, peppermint oil, ethanol 96% and water. (The alcohol content of the solution is at least 47%).

Alpha Bromoisovaleric Acid Ester and ethanol act on the receptors of the oral cavity and pharynx, reducing the excitability of the nervous system, cause an inhibitory effect on the cortex and subcortex of the brain, have an antispasmodic and sedative effect like the usual "valerian". Large concentrations of corvalol have a hypnotic effect.

Phenobarbital- a sedative component that inhibits the transmission of excitatory impulses to the cerebral cortex and subcortical nerve centers. It causes drowsiness and a decrease in the speed of reactions, has a sedative and hypnotic effect. The degree of severity of inhibition of excitatory signals in the brain is determined by the number of drops taken: if the recommended dosage is observed, they will calm, if it is exceeded, you can feel a strong hypnotic effect.

Due to the inhibitory effect of the Corvalol components on the vasomotor center, the antispasmodic effect on the vessels of the heart and other organs, a weak hypotensive action drugs, which, however, should not be relied upon for arterial hypertension requiring treatment with completely different drugs. Corvalol reduces pressure, but does not stop the hypertensive crisis, nor does it cause the maintenance of normotension in hypertensive patients.

Peppermint essential oil contains menthol and its esters, dilates blood vessels, acts as an antispasmodic, enhances the contractility of the intestines and stomach, helping to fight bloating. In the mouth, peppermint creates a minty taste and antiseptic effect.

Corvalol is produced in the form alcohol solution and tablets. Drops are recommended to be taken before meals, dissolving in water or dripping on a piece of sugar. The action begins about a quarter of an hour after taking it under the tongue and starting absorption in the oral cavity, where, by the way, more than half of the medication taken is absorbed.

Corvalol analogues for a sedative effect - valocordin, valoserdine, adonis-bromine, barboval, novo-passit, tinctures of hawthorn and motherwort, etc. These funds may differ in their components, but are endowed with a similar sedative effect, many of them are exclusively herbal, not containing synthetic psychotropic components, which can distinguish them from Corvalol.

Corvalol components are able to cross the placenta, having an adverse effect on developing fetus, therefore, it is better for pregnant women to refuse to take it at any gestational age. Bromine, released during the metabolism of the drug in the body, can accumulate, causing toxic effects.

Indications and contraindications for the use of Corvalol

Corvalol cannot be considered a medicine that can cure a specific disease. This remedy only eliminates individual symptoms. nervous disorders, so do not think that taking it will help get rid of heart disease, renal colic, insomnia. Many will object, because Corvalol really eliminates pain in the heart. This is true, but only the pain that is caused by stress or a nervous breakdown. Pain with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, unfortunately, simple and cheap drops of Corvalol are not treated.

Corvalol is able to calm the nerves and help with falling asleep, but developed depression, severe neurosis, anxiety syndrome, perhaps, "will not take." Doctors should talk about this and the patients themselves, who place their hopes on miraculous power drops.

It happens that the patient is so accustomed to drinking Corvalol every time that he simply ignores other medicines, and it is not so easy to convince him of the need to take them. Here the power of persuasion of a specialist and the consciousness of the patient are important, who may well continue to “dabble” with drops from the nerves within reasonable limits, but while taking other drugs according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor.

Indications to the use of Corvalol are clearly defined and indicated in the instructions for the drug, which, however, does not prevent a large number of cardiological patients from taking them as a medicine for the “heart”. It is worth recalling here that Corvalol is able to remove some discomfort from the side of the heart and even pain, but caused more by nervous experiences than by changes in coronary vessels and myocardium.

In the presence of structural lesions in the heart associated with atherosclerosis and other causes, taking Corvalol is a waste of not only money, albeit small, but also time, since heart diseases require more serious treatment with drugs from other groups.

Corvalol is not prescribed as the main medicine for any diseases, this remedy is symptomatic, designed only to relieve some negative symptoms neurosis, stress, nervous strain Therefore, the doctor usually only recommends taking it to a certain category of patients.

Corvalol helps with:

neurosis-like disorders;
Insomnia caused by stress, anxiety (no more than two weeks);
Functional disorders of the heart (tachycardia, pain due to nervous tension and without connection with the lesion coronary arteries and myocardium)
Strong arousal with vegetative manifestations (sweating, feeling hot, redness of the face, increased heart rate, etc.);
Spasms in the gastrointestinal tract.

Contraindications

Corvalol is sold without a prescription and is taken uncontrollably by a large number of people, especially the elderly, who can increase the dose to the maximum and even exceed it, but this drug is not as harmless as it might seem. There are also contraindications to Corvalol and they are mainly associated with phenobarbital, bromine and ethanol that are part of the drug. These include:

Individual sensitivity or allergy to individual components of Corvalol;
Severe disorders of the liver and kidneys;
Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
Children's age (the drug is contraindicated up to 18 years);
lactase deficiency;
Alcoholism;
Epilepsy and convulsive syndrome of other etiology;
Traumatic brain injury or its consequences.

Instructions for use Corvalol, features and side effects

It is better to take Corvalol on the recommendation of a doctor who prescribes it to those who have heart symptoms associated with neurosis. At the same time, the specialist should be sure that there are no serious changes in the heart, since the course of the disease can change under the influence of drops, and the patient will not receive timely prescribed treatment for hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmias and other serious diseases.

You can also use all the well-known soothing drops on your own, but carefully, following all the recommendations indicated in the instructions for use. If during the reception the condition worsens, there are chest pains, discomfort in the abdomen, anxiety or depression intensifies, then you should stop treatment with Corvalol and consult a doctor without delay.

Corvalol in drops is the most popular form of the drug. The recommended dose per reception is 15-30 drops dissolved in a quarter glass of water, with strong excitement and acceleration of the pulse, it can be increased to 40-50 drops. The indicated amount of the drug is dissolved in water or taken with sugar no more than three times a day, regardless of the meal, although many recommend that you still use it after meals. The duration of the use of Corvalol should not exceed two weeks, and it is more correct if these drops do not become an indispensable medicine for chronic use, although many patients still “sin” with such treatment.

Elderly people, people with impaired liver or kidney function can take Corvalol, but it is better to slightly reduce the number of drops due to its longer decay and increased duration of action. Patients with suicidal tendencies, severe depression should not take Corvalol, and a psychotherapist should prescribe treatment. With angina pectoris, heart defects, after myocardial infarction Corvalol will not harm, but it cannot replace the accepted drug treatment regimen.

In addition to liquid dosage form, it is possible to take Corvalol components in the form of tablets (Corvalol, Corvaltab). Corvalol tablets are prescribed 1-2 pcs. in two or three doses per day. The absence of ethanol in the composition of the tablets still does not allow it to be prescribed to pregnant women and nursing mothers, transport drivers and persons employed in dangerous work, because phenobarbital is still there, and its effects are not compatible with the indicated circumstances.

Given the content of ethyl alcohol and a psychotropic component (phenobarbital) in the preparation, it is quite logical to expect from Corvalol adverse reactions especially if the recommended dosage or duration of administration has been exceeded. Many patients who are long-term addicted to drops of Corvalol consider them harmless and harmless, many times exceeding the maximum allowable amounts to the reception and, accordingly, faced with adverse effects such uncontrolled treatment.

The most common side effects from taking Corvalol include:

Nausea, discomfort in the abdomen, stool disorders in the form of constipation;
Allergic reactions to drug components;
Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy or agitation, hallucinations, sleep disturbances;
Decreased heart rate, lowering blood pressure;
Respiratory failure.

Prolonged and constant use of corvalol can provoke addiction to phenobarbital, as a result of which the effectiveness as a hypnotic will gradually decrease, and withdrawal symptoms are possible against the background of withdrawal - anxiety, agitation, hallucinations. It is known that after two weeks of taking Corvalol for sleep, the desired effect is no longer achieved.

Overdose Corvalol is provoked by non-compliance with recommendations for the intake and duration of treatment. The accumulation of drug metabolites can cause not only dependence, but also serious violations in the body upon cancellation - depression of the central nervous system, hypotension, impaired pulse and respiration. In case of overdose with poisoning, the victim may require treatment in intensive care and detoxification therapy.

Corvalol goes well with most antihypertensives, antiarrhythmic drugs, drugs for the treatment of diabetes and others that many older people have to take, but there are drugs that are better not to use at the same time - steroid hormones, contraceptives, sleeping pills, anticonvulsants, some antibiotics.

Corvalol and alcohol are not very compatible and their simultaneous intake is not best idea. Ethanol enhances the adverse effects of phenobarbital and the toxicity of Corvalol in general, so you will have to choose between sedative drops or stress relief through a strong drink. Alcohol forms the basis of drops, but the amount of it per reception is such that no harm will occur. Another thing is if you take drops and drink alcohol in volumes that do not fit into the "therapeutic" dose.

Corvalol lowers blood pressure, so people prone to hypotension should take it carefully. Drivers of vehicles, people employed in potentially hazardous work requiring fast response and high concentration Attention, Corvalol should not be taken due to the presence of phenobarbital and alcohol in it, which slow down the reaction rate and cause drowsiness.

Can Corvalol be taken by pregnant women?

Many expectant mothers have difficulty falling asleep, are overly nervous and worried, and can become extremely emotionally labile due to hormonal fluctuations. In this connection soothing drops may seem like a pretty attractive treatment option, but most instructions list pregnancy and lactation as a contraindication. Corvalol is no exception, it is contraindicated during pregnancy, since phenobarbital can have a very adverse effect on the development of the baby.

Phenobarbital has a depressing effect on the nervous system of both mother and child, worsens blood clotting, causing bleeding in the first days of life in a newborn. Abuse of Corvalol in the third trimester of gestation causes addiction and subsequent withdrawal syndrome, which can be traced in the child in the development of seizures and severe excitability after childbirth or in the first two weeks of life.

Many will notice that phenobarbital is still prescribed to women "in position" suffering from convulsive syndrome or epilepsy, and there is very little of it in Corvalol. This is true, but the need for anticonvulsant treatment is much more good reason use phenobarbital rather than drinking corvalol containing it to calm the nerves. In addition, there are much safer and more effective sedatives not contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.

Corvalol is one of the most affordable and cheap sedatives that does not lose popularity even in the face of the appearance a large number other more modern drugs for insomnia or anxiety. He is loved by both elderly patients with combined pathology of internal organs, and young people suffering from panic attacks and various manifestations of neurosis.

Stocking up for the future and regularly replenishing the first-aid kit with fresh vials of Corvalol, do not forget that this drug has a number of serious side effects and contraindications, so reading the instructions and consulting a doctor are essential steps when using Corvalol and any other drug.

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Composition of Corvalol

The main components that make up Corvalol are menthol, phenobarbital and ethyl alcohol. Each of these substances has special properties, so the drug is considered universal in use, but you should not drink it for a long time. Ethyl alcohol has an antispasmodic effect on the body, calms the nervous system and relieves psychological stress. Menthol is distinguished by the property of rapid expansion of blood vessels. Phenobarbital renders sedative effect on the internal organs of a person, while relieving the body of pain.

Phenobarbital is part of Corvalol in small quantities. It is a mistake to consider the drug a narcotic drug, but it must be used with great care.

Studies of the drug by doctors show that Corvalol can be not only useful, but also harmful to the body. There are several serious negative properties of corvalol associated with side effect from its constituent components. Ethyl alcohol, for example, causes the body to quickly become addictive. According to doctors, if you abuse this drug, drink for a long time, then it will affect a person like a synthetic drug. In addition, ethyl alcohol can be consumed only in minimal dosages. Otherwise, instead of fighting insomnia, there will be reverse effect drowsiness and physical weakness.

Peppermint oil, which is part of Corvalol, is also not always useful. If the dosage is exceeded, it can cause disruption of some systems in the body and cause constipation. People with individual intolerance to this component may experience allergic reactions. In rare cases, doctors categorically forbid patients to take Corvalol, recommending replacing it similar drugs. For example, valocordin copes with disorders of the nervous system no worse than its competitor, but it does not contain phenobarbital. This drug can be drunk instead of Corvalol, but in no case should they be combined.

Corvalol has only a temporary effect on the body. The drug is able to calm the nervous system, but cannot eliminate heart disease. Stabilization of well-being should not be the reason for refusing the examination.

side effects of corvalol

Corvalol should be used in strict accordance with the instructions. If the dosage is exceeded or if it is used too often, there may be serious complications. The most common of them are memory disorders, speech disorders, general physical weakness. If after taking Corvalol the desired effect does not occur, then it is likely that your body is used to the components of the drug. To prevent harmful effects it is better to refuse such a method of treatment for a while.

Quite often there are publications of narcologists in which doctors express the opinion that Corvalol is a real drug. drug. Feedback from doctors should be taken into account. However, such conclusions are made mainly only taking into account the fact that recently the government of the Russian Federation has added phenobarbital, which is part of Corvalol, to the list of psychotropic substances.

Injections for cerebral vessels name Diuretics what are they

More recently, Corvalol and Valocordin (the same Corvalol, but with a different trade name) were suddenly swept away from the pharmacy shelves of many Russian cities. This happened after medical officials in St. Petersburg, citing a government decision, banned pharmacies from selling Corvalol without a doctor's prescription. The rumor went for a walk throughout Russia, provoking panic. To calm the suffering, already federal officials I had to explain that the action was not even planned. The people were assured that he could calm down and drink his corvalol as much as his heart desired.

Buckshot on the brain

So what happened? What excited and forced the population to make stocks of Corvalol for the future, as in recent times they bought vegetables for the winter?

As a doctor, I was also surprised by these events, but not by the volume of purchases of Corvalol. I was surprised that so far such a significant part of our citizens used such a primitive, and with repeated use or overdose quite toxic drug. It can be said that she shot buckshot at very thin structures of her brain.

But better - in order.

Corvalol is a drug that causes sedative (calming) and antispasmodic effects. In large doses, its hypnotic effect is manifested. It - combination drug, which contains active ingredients valerian and mint, as well as phenobarbital and alcohol.

Such an explosive mixture is used by our fellow citizens in a variety of nervous breakdowns, during or after family quarrels. Often, a vial of Corvalol is carried with them in case of an ambulance with excitement, anxiety, “tingling” in the heart area and other troubles. In other words, Corvalol is used as universal remedy with a variety of neurotic and psychosomatic disorders(those same "neurotics" and "cores"). They are treated, as in that joke about an illiterate paramedic: take half a tablet in the morning from the head, and the other half in the evening from the stomach.

The "secret" of the universality of Corvalol lies in the expressed sedative effect medication that is provided primarily by phenobarbital.

The turnover of this substance due to its high toxicity to the human body, as well as its pronounced narcogenicity (the ability to cause pathological dependence, i.e. drug addiction) in all countries is subject to control by special competent authorities. In most European countries, phenobarbital is either used extremely rarely, or its use is generally prohibited.

In corvalol, the concentration of phenobarbital is relatively low. But long-term use of this substance, like any other narcotic drug, leads to an increase in tolerance, therefore, large doses are required for the previous effect. This is how dependence on phenobarbital, one of the most “hard” drugs, is formed. The consequences of the abuse of barbiturates (namely, phenobarbital belongs to this group) include damage to the liver, heart, and of course the brain.

As a psychiatrist, my brain and psyche are closer to me, so I will say a few more words about this. Barbiturates can lead to a decrease in memory, a slowdown and a decrease in the quality of thinking, and, finally, to severe dementia. Sudden termination chronic use barbiturates can cause persistent insomnia, epileptic seizures, anxiety, hallucinations and other symptoms resembling " delirium tremens» patients with alcoholism. True, in the case of Corvalol, this will require drinking 1-2 bottles (15-30 ml) per day for several weeks or months.

It is my deep conviction that taking Corvalol is not only dangerous to health. It doesn't make sense to use it.

The weak antispasmodic effect of Corvalol will not give relief from angina pectoris and, moreover, will not prevent myocardial infarction. But moderate vasodilating action in combination with a sedative and relaxing effect gives a temporary result in the so-called neurosis of the heart and other neurotic disorders. I emphasize that the result is temporary and unstable. Diseases that are trying to be treated with Corvalol usually require a completely different therapeutic tactic!

But the cheapness and availability of Corvalol, as well as the lack of public awareness, contribute to its extremely widespread use.

~~For reference
At present, the outdated and not entirely accurate term "organ neuroses" is not used in medicine. A new name has come to replace it - somatoform autonomic dysfunction. This is a multifaceted disorder in which the complaints of patients resemble those caused by a physical (somatic) disease. However, signs of this somatic disease undetectable even upon close examination. For example, a patient (but more often a patient) complains of pain and burning in the region of the heart, and there are no signs of heart damage on the electrocardiogram. The same is observed with "gastric neurosis", "psychogenic dyspnea", "irritable bowel syndrome" and other somatoform disorders. autonomic dysfunctions. Patients have complaints, but there is no structural and functional pathology of the corresponding organs. ~~

Meanwhile, as cardiovascular pathology, and with somatoform and neurotic disorders, a whole arsenal of modern medicines agents that are much more effective and safer than Corvalol. These drugs have a much more accurate "address" of their effects and give a stable result when used correctly.

In addition, in all cases in which a person takes from his home first aid kit Corvalol, he needs psychotherapy. Using psychotherapy, in some cases it is possible to achieve good result and without the use of drugs, but more often this occurs when combining drugs with psychotherapy. But first you need to leave the practice of self-treatment and get to a good doctor.

If not Corvalol, then what?

In general, treatment should be resorted to only in the presence of a disease. True, colleagues sometimes strive to prescribe medications or dietary supplements even in cases where this is not yet required. But this is a separate issue.

But what to do when a person is having a hard time experiencing some significant event for him?

I think it really needs to be experienced. For example, if he died close person, then, no matter how difficult it is, this fact should be experienced. And despite the heavy loss, finally say goodbye to this person, keeping a bright memory of him. The pain of loss is a natural state for a normal person. It can only be temporarily softened, made not so sharp and heavy, but it is necessary to survive.

How can you ease this pain of loss?

There is such a parable. A woman whose child had died came to the Buddha asking him to give her a cure for this pain. The Buddha said that he has a cure. But first, a woman must find a family in which no one has died and has not experienced bitterness from parting with relatives and friends. She went from house to house and asked, but could not find such people. She came to the Buddha a year later and told him about her quest. And then she added that she had already received the medicine she needed.

Suffering can cover a person so much that he stops any activity, lives by inertia. If he has enough internal strength, then he can ask himself: "The meaning of my life consists only in suffering?" And if he discovers other meanings of life, then they must be realized in spite of suffering. And then it will recede. Mental anguish heals not so much time as deed.

In some cases, the psychotraumatic impact of severe events is so great that it can be a threat to human health and life. In such cases, of course, you need to use medications and psychotherapy. But it would be better if they were prescribed by a doctor.

Discord in the family, difficulties in relationships with children, dismissal from work ... These are cases when it is not necessary to be treated, not to drown out consciousness with barbiturates or vodka, but to think and act. By the way, relatives are a very good regulator of emotions. human relations with people. Sometimes a conversation with friends in the kitchen can replace a consultation with a psychologist. And take medicines only for diseases.

Did you quarrel with a friend, did your wife go to another, or did the boss let down the “polkan”? But this is also life. And if you want to live without negative emotions, if you are especially vulnerable and ordinary troubles easily unbalance you, start learning. Learn to manipulate your emotions and communicate effectively: on your own, with a book or a psychologist. But understand that without negative emotions there will be no positive and fullness of life ...

Corvalol is needed drop by drop. I personally want to go to pharmacies with a bat and beat pharmacists who sell CORVALOL to people with this bat! I read the comments and came to the conclusion that people do not know what it is like to live with a drug addict hooked on Corvalol. Previously, people in Russia had a rather rigid attitude that a medicine is a medicine, and it should be taken as it should be.

All diseases are from the nerves ”- it is this well-known saying that explains the“ miraculous ”effectiveness of Corvalol. The recommended dosage for Corvalol, as such, does not exist.

Is Corvalol harmful - the benefits and harms of the drug

Nevertheless, you should not experiment with the dosage and increase it yourself - a harmless, at first glance, drug, Corvalol may well cause an overdose. Finally, taking Corvalol constantly in large quantities is also not worth it because this drug can be addictive. Can Corvalol cause very strong muscle pain and throughout the body long-term use in large doses (150-200 drops)?

And for drivers, it is doubly dangerous, it seems that this is also written in the instructions for the drug. I take 80 drops a day. It feels good. Nadia, for example, Corvalol in the amount of 1 drop is recommended for high temperature in children. What to do with them? I remember a time when Corvalol was a must in every car first aid kit.

Corvalol - can it be taken constantly?

After pouring 15 drops of Corvalol per 100 ml of liquid, the syndrome turned into complete calm. My wife got hooked on Corvalol, but I did not notice it in time. Strongly. I can’t go to work without a good night’s sleep after a hangover (and you can’t sleep for a couple of days with a hangover). Corvalol and I am saved. And Corvalol is a drug that helps people, and normal people drink it 30-40 drops and not 3 bubbles at a time. For example, one bottle is enough for me for 2 months.

And I will not push and stand for hours in the clinic to write out a prescription for the unfortunate vial of Corvalol. And my 85-year-old grandmother will not go to the clinic for a prescription for Corvalol either! Because prescription corvalol is another nonsense of our medical chiefs and interested lobbyists. I’ve been taking Corvalol for 25 years for angina attacks (I can’t drink nitrates because of the onset of headaches) and somehow I didn’t become addicted.

Corvalol during pregnancy and lactation

And I want to tell EVERYONE! And as for writing a prescription, on the one hand I disagree, I would not stand in line for a prescription either. This is 6.7 times less than in one tablet of phenobarbital.

It would seem that such a harmless and familiar Corvalol ... We always have Corvalol at home. And sweets are a good substitute for validol and corvalol. The same will happen with mint "evil" sweets - icicles - only they are much "more useful" than Corvalol. Corvalol calms my heartbeat and helps with extrasystoles. If a person likes to give advice, this is a sure sign that he himself needs it. According to the instructions for use, Corvalol drops are taken by mixing the drug with 50 ml of water or on a piece of sugar.

Is it possible to drink Corvalol with a hangover?

Corvalol tablets are taken orally or sublingually. In this regard, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to drink Corvalol while driving is unambiguous - it is impossible. Entering the body when taking a standard dose of Corvalol (15-20 drops), phenobarbital provokes vasodilation and causes a slight sedative effect, without having a hypnotic effect.

If the pressure has risen sharply, and there is no other antihypertensive drug in the house, doctors recommend measuring 45 drops of Corvalol oral solution in 100 ml of hot water and drinking this medicine in one gulp. There is no experience with the use of Corvalol in pediatrics, and therefore the drug is not prescribed to children. Alcohol enhances the effect of Corvalol. Corvalol is taken in order to reduce the increased pressure and calm the heart.

With a hangover, the use of Corvalol is not only inappropriate, but also extremely dangerous. Reviews about Corvalol in tablets and drops are generally good, because the effectiveness of the drug has been tested by time. With the appearance of acne, cosmetologists advise a talker based on Corvalol in drops.

VALOCORDIN (CORVALOL)

The only, by and large, effect of Corvalol is the expansion of blood vessels due to the effect on the smooth muscles of the walls of blood vessels, which complements the sedative, sedative effect.

It is worth taking it only when it is necessary to suppress stress and the unpleasant symptoms caused by it: pain in the heart associated with excitement, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness. To relieve certain symptoms, it is recommended to take at least fifteen drops of Corvalol two to three times a day, stirring the drops in a small amount of liquid. The main ingredients of Corvalol are ethyl alcohol, phenobarbital and ethyl bromisovalerianate, which have a very unpleasant property to accumulate in the body, causing poisoning of internal organs.

Try not to use this drug in large doses and for a long period! Although, who knows, since this is written in the instructions in the side effects, it is possible that this is the case. And sometimes I, too, when my heart starts to press, I drip it into my glass.

Not in the most direct sense, of course, but just hops appeared in my head. This effect may depend on the condition of the person, and on how full the stomach is. My mother-in-law constantly drinks it, she has problems with her heart and nothing, I have never watched anything like this for her. In any case, call an ambulance and consult.

Now there are a lot of other remedies for the heart, less dangerous and more effective. And no more alcohol ... .. I don’t take it myself: I have gastritis, and there is alcohol, and it lowers blood pressure, and I’m already hypotensive. After all, as it sometimes happens with us, instead of going to an appointment with a cardiologist and undergoing an examination, we simply buy these drops, set the dosage ourselves and begin self-treatment - and this is dangerous!

Is it possible to drink Corvalol during pregnancy?

Corvalol and Valocardine contain the psychotropic substance phenobarbital. It is this that evokes mental and physical addiction. AT medicines, which have already become almost popular, there is not much of it, and in this quantity it has a mild calming effect. If you take "Corvalol" and "Valocardin" not constantly, but in small doses and short courses, addiction will not occur, - explains Associate Professor of the Department of Pharmacology of the North-Western State Medical University. Mechnikov Alexander Slobzhanin.

The drugs are outdated, but they have an effect, and their use in medicinal purposes quite justified. Previously, these drugs were thought to reduce the heartbeat, so doctors advised patients with ischemic disease heart (IHD) to take them constantly. With it, they feel "calm" and "unsettled", and when they try to cancel it, they become overly excitable, aggressive, irritable and suffer from insomnia.

But you can put an age limit on Corvalol (as on alcohol or cigarettes), for example, up to 45-50 years old, issuance by prescription, after which it is freely available. In general, the point is not really in Corvalol, but in your condition. It can be seen that the difference in the composition of Valocordin and Corvalol is very small.

There are a lot of drugs that have been in pharmacies and home medicine cabinets for decades. We all know about them since childhood and are not at all afraid of them. They are quiet, familiar and always at hand, like your favorite slippers: I used them, and immediately it became easy and calm.

But no matter what we are dealing with, no matter how harmless and familiar it may seem to us, it is always worth handling objects with care. Even thanks to home slippers, no matter how cozy and warm they are, you can fall by slipping on the wet floor. And what about drugs! Moreover, they may not be such friendly inhabitants of our house.

For example, the widely known and dear to the heart "Corvalol", which can show its needles to those who treat it too carelessly.

Unclear diagnosis

I want to tell you one story. Once a young woman of 27 years old was admitted to the neurological department. According to her mother, she found her lying in the hallway of her apartment. The daughter's speech was incomprehensible and incoherent. The woman staggered and struggled to stand on her feet. The ambulance team that arrived did not determine the diagnosis and took the woman to the hospital, where she was hospitalized with a suspected rupture of a brain aneurysm.

Computed tomography (CT) showed no problems in the brain. And in the morning the girl became cheerful and cheerful. All her balance and speech problems disappeared. Relatives and doctors exhaled: "Well, thank God." We decided to wait another week additional research and write the lady. However, the very next day the patient was found lying in her room on the floor, in the same condition as she had been hospitalized. Again, fuss and research, again CT, and again after 2 days the woman is as fresh as a cucumber.

This went on several times. The doctors were perplexed, the relatives were angry ... until someone found a bag of empty Corvalol bottles in the patient's bedside table. The patient admitted that she took all this "Corvalol" orally during her stay in the hospital.

Why didn't anyone guess?

Yes, no one guessed right away, even despite the persistent smell of Corvalol in the ward. Why didn't the doctors figure it out? The epic with the abuse of "Corvalol" was just beginning then. This medicine was on the market a long time ago, but all the narcological subtleties were basically known to narcologists. And narcologists are people who also tell very few people about their professional secrets, because there are always people who will accept this information as a guide to action.

Previously, people in Russia had a rather rigid attitude that a medicine is a medicine, and it should be taken as it should be. And only in perestroika times, the opinion began to spread widely that "doctors do not know anything, you have to treat yourself."

And a large part of the cases of self-medication is expressed in the fact that patients change the doses of their drugs according to their own ideas about the safety and danger of the drug. "Corvalol" has always been considered "harmless". It seemed to many that if you drop it a little into a glass, then there will be no trouble. Who will be harmed by some 10-20 extra drops? And for this reason, cases of abuse of it began to appear more and more often.

drug vial

Is Corvalol so dangerous? Perception of "Corvalol" as true friend, standing nearby in the face of life's ups and downs, played a bad joke with this drug. Now they want to present it everywhere as 50 ml of evil in a dark bottle, but it is really good when used correctly.

Everyone knew that there is phenobarbital, which has long been a “registration drug” (that is, it is issued according to prescriptions and its consumption is strictly controlled in hospitals). But for people, it was a convenient drug to "calm the nerves" that helped. And the ban on free sale was perceived by them as the maliciousness of the government. After all, how much phenobarbital is in that Corvalol? The cat cried. As a result, Corvalol is still sold without a prescription in Russia, but the problem with the possibility of developing dependence on it still remains.

Let's see how it turns out that people become addicted to the drug. It's really low in phenobarbital. Only 7.5 mg in 20 drops. This is 6.7 times less than in one tablet of phenobarbital. Those. even if you drink Corvalol 3 times a day, 15–20 drops, as recommended, no trouble will happen. And many people can actually drink Corvalol at this dose for years without fear of physical dependence.

heart care

However, it should be noted that there may be a psychological dependence on the reception. "Corvalol" can become a symbol of the depth of mental suffering in some people prone to demonstrative behavior. If someone starts drinking "heart drops", it means that he is very upset and shows it to others. In other cases, especially in the elderly, Corvalol is simply part of the daily routine. A man got up in the morning, drank his morning pills and dripped a drop of "nerves" just in case. Naturally, if Corvalol suddenly disappears from the reach, this causes some panic, because in life something is starting to be missed.

Tenacious paws "Corvalol"

But the real dependence is characterized not so much by the regularity of the intake, but by the size of the dose and its gradual increase day by day. If you start taking Corvalol 1 bottle per day, then the dose will be more than 3 tablets of phenobarbital. Accordingly, if you drink a bottle 3 times a day, you will get a much larger dose. And in the case of an increase in the dose of phenobarbital by 3-4 times, dependence on the substance is formed in 75% of people.

In addition, in the case of Corvalol, it is still more difficult. 96% of the drug is ethyl alcohol. And alcohol and phenobarbital enhance each other's action, and therefore dependence develops much faster, without reaching high doses.

But addiction is one side of the Corvalol abuse coin. Both phenobarbital and alcohol cause damage to the nervous system. In this case, they unanimously strike at the brain, causing damage to it.

How can this happen

Why do people begin to abuse the drug? Basically, a person gets into the Corvalol network by accident. Those. he has no purposeful desire to induce himself into a state of intoxication. Such people have different mental and psychological problems such as depression or chronic anxiety. In these cases, Corvalol does not provide any significant and lasting improvement in the condition. At first, it seems that the symptoms recede, and then everything starts anew. People begin to gradually add a dose, wanting to calm down, but peace does not come.

How not to get addicted?

1. Do not exceed recommended doses.
2. Do not mix Corvalol with alcohol and other sedatives.
3. If the recommended dose of Corvalol is no longer enough, you should consult a doctor to prescribe others.
4. If your daily dose exceeds the recommended dose, gradually reduce the dose.

After that, it is advisable to completely abandon Corvalol. It is unlikely that he will have an effect.

Natalia Stilson

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