Is it possible to use Corvalol during early pregnancy in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester?

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Author of the article: Marina Dmitrievna

2017.12.10

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Drugs

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes enormous changes. All organs and physiological systems rearrange their work to best ensure the development of the fetus. And this cannot but affect a woman’s well-being, including emotional well-being. Sudden mood swings (from euphoria to depression), pain in the heart, and sleep disturbances are possible. To correct them, sedatives are traditionally used, including the popular Corvalol.

Women during pregnancy need to choose medications carefully

Expectant mothers are wondering: is it possible for pregnant women to take Corvalol in drops or is it better to be treated with tablets, or to abandon the drug altogether? Contrasting answers can be found in the media and the Internet. To find the right one, you first need to find out what Corvalol is, what its contraindications are, and what side effects it causes.

Corvalol

What Corvalol contains

Corvalol drops in the second half of pregnancy can be used only once to calm the nerves.
Corvalol is a sedative, anti-anxiety medicine consisting of natural and synthetic ingredients. The ethyl alcohol and ether present in its composition reduce anxiety and calm the nerves. Increasing the dose produces a hypnotic effect.

The composition of 1 bottle of Corvalol drops includes:

• ethyl ester of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid - 2 g;
• phenobarbital - 1.826 g;
• ethyl alcohol 95% - 79 ml;
• excipients: sodium hydroxide;
• peppermint oil;
• purified water.

Phenobarbital reduces the spread of nerve impulses and the speed of reactions, reduces vascular tone and eliminates spasms, relieves irritation and helps bring sleep closer.

Peppermint oil, acting on receptors in the oral cavity, eliminates the gag reflex, promotes vasodilation and improves blood circulation in the heart and brain.

The drug is prescribed as a sedative and vasodilator for various cardiac disorders, sleep problems, and increased nervousness . It is produced in the form:

• alcohol drops,
• tablets,
• soft capsules for oral administration,
• lozenges (under the tongue).

Types of drug

The industry produces several types of this medication. Some of them are presented in the table.

Table: types of Corvalol and their composition

Drug in tablets

Indeed, the usual drops are not the only option. There are also tablets on the market that have similar effects on the body. The main difference is the absence of ethyl alcohol in the composition. Therefore, if we consider the option of prescribing a pregnant woman, then tableted Corvalol is preferable. We will not describe separately what this form of the drug helps with, since we have already discussed it in detail earlier. The frequency and rules for taking tablets are the same as for drops. If the drug is prescribed to children, the dose is reduced, half the tablet is used at a time.

Is it worth using Corvalol in early and late pregnancy?

The use of all medications during gestation should be approached with caution. Corvalol cannot be an exception in this case. You can take it only after the permission of the doctor, who will indicate the safest method of treatment.

Since one of the components of Corvalol is phenobarbital, its use in the early stages of pregnancy is prohibited . The drug can cause serious developmental disorders: the heart and nervous system of the fetus are especially affected.

In the second and third trimester, one-time use of this remedy is possible on the recommendation of a doctor . Taking Corvalol 2-3 times throughout the entire period in the second half of pregnancy will not cause any particular harm.

Course use of this drug during this period is permissible only under strict indications and under the supervision of doctors.

The use of phenobarbital in the prenatal period can cause breathing problems in the newborn . And the presence of ethyl alcohol can form an alcohol addiction in a child even before he is born.

Peppermint in Kovalol can contribute to the appearance of uterine hypertonicity.

When using Corvalol Phyto, allergies may occur.

Pros and cons of the medication

Corvalol, like any other medication, is not safe for pregnant women. The drug has both advantages and disadvantages.

Corvalol is dangerous for expectant mothers

Pros of Corvalol:

• The drug helps fight sleep disorders, anxiety, restlessness; all these symptoms are typical for pregnant women.
• Corvalol quickly relieves signs of tachycardia that occur due to stress.
• The medicine lowers blood pressure, and therefore it is used in the early stages of hypertension instead of antihypertensive drugs.
• Corvalol quickly relaxes smooth muscles, eliminates stomach or intestinal spasms that occur against the background of nervous disorders.
• The drug is available without a prescription, is inexpensive, and works quickly.

Cons of Corvalol:

• Phenobrabital and ethyl alcohol disrupt the development of the fetus and cause drug dependence in the mother.
• The drug has an impressive list of adverse reactions: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, allergies, confusion, speech disorders, etc.
• An overdose of small doses of the drug increases the likelihood of bromism (chronic bromine poisoning).
• Drops before birth can cause fetal hypoxia.
• After taking the tincture by a pregnant woman, the tone of the uterus may increase, which threatens placental abruption and fetal death.
• If the dose of the drug is significantly exceeded, death is possible.

Based on the above information, the disadvantages of Corvalol are more significant than its advantages. For this reason, doctors recommend that pregnant women use safer sedatives.

Why do pregnant women need Corvalol?

In exceptional cases, Corvalol may be allowed to be taken by the expectant mother as an adjuvant for:

• pain in the heart;
• sleep disorder;
• increased agitation, irritability;
• anxiety;
• depression;
• tachycardia.

Tablets or drops?

This question, of course, must be answered by a doctor. The choice of the form of the drug can be determined, in addition to the undesirable content of ethyl alcohol in the drops, by the speed of Corvalol’s effect on the body. Corvalol tablets begin to be absorbed in the mouth. The results from dissolving the pill under the tongue appear almost immediately.

When taking drops, the effect of the drug appears after 25–30 minutes. The effect of the medicine on the body lasts about six hours.

Corvalol: is it dangerous to take during pregnancy?

If, while carrying a child, a woman feels pain in the heart area, suspiciousness, anxiety, and insomnia, she is prescribed the drug Corvalol. But is it possible to take Corvalol during pregnancy and how this will affect the health of the unborn child, it is worth finding out in as much detail as possible.

What is Corvalol, what effect does it have on the body?

Corvalol is a medication that is used for anxiety, pain in the heart, insomnia and nervousness. The drug contains peppermint oil, ethylbromoisovalerin, and phenobarbital. It does not cure the disease, but only produces a calming effect.

It is not advisable to take Corvalol during pregnancy. Corvalol should not be used during early pregnancy. During this period, it affects the fetus and disrupts its normal development.

In the second or third trimester, it is permissible to calm the nerves with this remedy, but consult a doctor before taking it. You cannot use the product yourself.

Instructions for use of Corvalol during pregnancy

Dosage of the drug: patients are recommended to take up to 30 drops before meals, 3 times a day. If a spasm of blood vessels occurs or tachycardia occurs, the dosage is increased to 50 drops at a time.

The duration of treatment with this drug is determined by the doctor. He also prescribes the dosage for a pregnant woman.

A doctor can prescribe Corvalol to a pregnant woman if there are indications for it.

• heartache;
• vascular spasms;
• tachycardia;
• anxiety;
• insomnia;
• stress;
• neuroses.

It would be a good idea to see a cardiologist if you have heart problems. You may not need to take Corvalol, and the problem is different. You should not self-medicate and use a sedative during pregnancy. Be careful with this substance as it can cause complications that will affect your baby's development.

Contraindications

Contraindications to use of the product:

• first trimester of pregnancy;
• lactation and breastfeeding;
• impaired liver and kidney function;
• intolerance to substances included in the drug.

Possible side effects

Taking Corvalol during pregnancy provokes the following side effects in the patient:

• dependence on a drug as a result of long-term use;
• increased irritability and nervousness when eliminating the drug after getting used to it;
• sleep disturbance;
• the need for large doses;
• depressed central nervous system;

Side effects from the use of Corvalol are dangerous, so it is prescribed by doctors in extreme cases. To avoid serious consequences, do not calm your nerves with medications, treat the real cause of the disorders and do not abuse sedatives. How to safely deal with stress during pregnancy, read here.

Reviews

Irina, 40 years old:

“If you take Corvalol constantly, it is harmful. And 2-3 times - nothing bad will happen. I drank during pregnancy, when tachycardia began from excitement. And nothing, everything is fine.”

Elena, 38 years old:

“I was prescribed Genipral, and it just makes my heart jump out. The gynecologist said to take 10-15 drops of Corvalol before Genipral. He assured me that there would be no harm to the child from such a dose.”

Tatyana, 32 years old:

“In the first trimester, the tachycardia simply didn’t give me any rest; once I called an ambulance.” When the doctor arrived, when asked about Corvalol, he was horrified and said that pregnant women should absolutely not take it, because it contains phenobarbital. I had to drink valerian, but it was of little use.”

Conclusion

The need to take the drug is caused only by such severe health conditions in which a disorder of the cardiovascular system threatens the health of the mother and the unborn baby. When stressed, it is better to calm down without such a drug. You should consult a doctor before taking Corvalol and similar drugs, as they are harmful to the baby and can cause irreparable harm to him even in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Contraindications and side effects

Before taking Corvalol, even in limited quantities, you need to find out whether there are any contraindications to its use. These include the following:

• intolerance to the substances included in the drug;
• special sensitivity to bromine;
• disruptions in the functioning of the liver and kidneys.

Corvalol also has side effects. Of these, the most dangerous are fetal development disorders. Improper use of the medication increases the risk of developing:

• heart disease;
• congenital anomalies and deformities;
• disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system;
• epilepsy.

With long-term use, Corvalol begins to have an irritating effect instead of a sedative and also disrupts sleep. In addition, its frequent use causes addiction in a pregnant woman, and then the drug loses its effectiveness. And the presence of phenobarbital contributes to the emergence of dependence on this medication.

Interaction with other drugs

The use of Corvalol in parallel with other drugs that cause mental changes enhances their effects and side effects. These drugs include alcohol, painkillers, sleeping pills, allergy medications and psychotropic substances.

Taking Corvalol in combination with Doxycycline, oral contraceptives and corticosteroids may cause bleeding disorders. In addition, the drug accelerates the synthesis of enzymes that destroy drugs, and thereby weakens the effect of substances metabolized in the liver.

Corvalol does not treat a specific disease, but only eliminates its unpleasant symptoms.

Precautionary measures

Before using the medicine, a pregnant woman should carefully study the instructions, especially paying attention to contraindications:

• Intolerance to the components of Corvalol.
• Functional disorders of the liver and kidneys.
• Hypolactasia (while taking pills).
• Pregnancy and lactation.

After taking Corvalol to a pregnant woman, the likelihood of negative effects increases

If the patient took the drug for a long time or independently increased the dose, then the likelihood of a negative effect of Corvalol on the fetus increases:

• dysfunction of the central nervous system;
• sleep disorders, frequent stress in the child;
• congenital heart defects;
• congenital pathologies, for example, cleft lip.

In addition, the drug is unsafe for the expectant mother, because when used systematically, it has the opposite effect:

• sleep disorders will worsen;
• the activity of the central nervous system is further inhibited;
• drug dependence develops;
• the likelihood of developing more severe nervous disorders increases;
• the woman becomes more irritable and worried.

Thus, Corvalol does more harm than good, for this reason it is worth abandoning this drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Features of application

Corvalol tablets should be taken orally before meals with water. It is prescribed one or two tablets twice a day. In case of urgent need, a single dose is increased to three tablets, and the permissible upper dose limit is, according to the instructions, up to six tablets.

Corvalol drops are used, if necessary, twice a day, 15–30 drops. They can be diluted with water or dropped onto a piece of sugar and dissolved. The maximum single dose, according to the general recommendations in the instructions, is up to 40–50 drops.

How long the drug will be taken and what dosage is acceptable is decided by the doctor, depending on the patient’s condition and the effectiveness of the drug . If unpleasant symptoms occur, treatment with Corvalol should be discontinued immediately.

The effect of the medicine is determined by the number of drops taken: in small doses they have a calming effect, in excess they cause drowsiness.

Is it possible to take Corvalol during pregnancy?

The answer to this question very much depends on both the period and the individual reaction of the mother’s body to the medicine. Let's consider the effect of the drug in each trimester of pregnancy.

Early use

Taking Corvalol during early pregnancy is considered the most dangerous option. At this time, the drug, absorbed into the mother’s blood, is transmitted through the placenta to the fetus and has a negative effect on it. Here is a list of what may appear in a child after the medication affects his body:

• Developmental disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems.
• The risk of developing epilepsy becomes much higher;
• The child may develop congenital deformities or developmental abnormalities.
• Baby has heart problems.

This list looks impressive enough to completely abandon the use of a well-known drug. It would be best to visit a doctor and, together with him, choose safer treatments for both the child and the mother herself. In the 1st trimester, taking Corvalol is prohibited.

Appointment in 2nd trimester

Starting from the 2nd trimester, it is possible to take the drug, although it is still undesirable. Remember that it is absolutely forbidden to drink it above the dose or for a long period of time even during this period. The maximum number of appointments is no more than 2 or 3 times per week.

It is also worth separately noting any unusual adverse reactions of the body. If anything like this occurs, you should immediately stop taking it and consult a doctor.

Use in the 3rd trimester

In the 3rd trimester, the use of Corvalol is safer than in the previous two. However, you should always remember that this is an addictive drug, and in case of overdose it can immediately cause a lot of side effects. They can also appear in an unborn child. If the drug is abused, the result can be a large number of disorders in the newborn, and in some severe cases, congenital developmental pathologies in the child.

Trimesters of pregnancy by week

Structural and functional analogues approved for use

The drug Corvalol MFF is similar in structure to Covalol. Medicines with a similar principle of action include:

1. Novo-Passit is a sedative of plant origin. It contains guaifenesin (a natural substance produced from the bark of the guaiacol tree) and extracts of medicinal herbs: hawthorn, St. John's wort, lemon balm, hops, valerian. Available in the form of tablets and syrup. Tablets should be taken one three times a day. For nausea, it is better to take them with meals. The syrup is drunk both diluted and undiluted. Take it three times a day, 5 ml.
2. Notta is a homeopathic medicine, it contains oats, phosphorus extract, chamomile, coffee tree, zinc valerate. Available in the form of alcohol drops and tablets. When using the drops, it is better to hold them in your mouth and then swallow them; you can dissolve them in water. The average dosage is 10 drops three times a day. The tablets are placed under the tongue for complete absorption. It is recommended to take one tablet three times a day.

These preparations differ in composition, but mostly they also contain components of plant origin. Their use during pregnancy is possible if there is an urgent need, and only a doctor should decide on their use. You can also replace Corvalol with tincture of Motherwort or Hawthorn, which, with the correct dosage, are allowed to be taken during pregnancy, unless there is individual intolerance . You just need to remember that it is often undesirable to use alcohol tinctures of drugs throughout the entire period of gestation; you can replace them with decoctions .

The components of Motherwort tincture are crushed motherwort herb and ethyl alcohol. This tincture should be taken 30 minutes before meals. It is recommended to dilute 30–50 drops of the solution in a quarter glass of water and drink three to four times a day.

Hawthorn tincture consists of the fruits of the plant and ethyl alcohol. Hawthorn can be drunk 20-30 drops 3-4 times a day. The medicine should not be taken with food.

Hawthorn tincture reduces blood pressure and tension in the heart muscle

How to replace Corvalol

A full-fledged and no less popular analogue of Corvalol is Valocordin. It began to be produced back in the 30s of the last century in Germany. The compositions of both drugs are almost identical. Valocordin additionally contains hop oil. It is also contraindicated during pregnancy.

To restore the mental state of expectant mothers, doctors recommend using much safer medications:

• Valerian;
• Motherwort;
• Novo-Passit.

Tablets with the active substance obtained from valerian rhizomes can be used at any stage of pregnancy. The only contraindication is hypersensitivity to this plant. Valerian reduces the excitability of the nervous system, slows the heart rate, and promotes the dilation of coronary vessels.

Motherwort also has a sedative effect. But doctors’ opinions about its safety are not as clear as with Valerian. In some instructions for motherwort-based medications, pregnancy is listed as a contraindication. But in the “National Guidelines” for domestic obstetricians and gynecologists, these drugs are recommended during gestation. And many doctors prescribe them to expectant mothers.

The active ingredients of Novo-Passit are extracts of the following plants with a sedative effect:

• valerian;
• Melissa;
• St. John's wort;
• hawthorn;
• passionflower;
• hop;
• black elderberry.

A medication may be prescribed if the potential benefit from it outweighs the possible negative effect.

Table: relatively permitted sedatives during pregnancy

Photo gallery: sedatives not prohibited for expectant mothers

Valerian tablets can be used throughout pregnancy

Motherwort in tablets has a mild sedative effect

Novo-Passit contains extracts of a number of medicinal plants

How to calm down without pills

The worries and anxieties that a woman experiences during pregnancy can affect the condition of her baby. Therefore, the expectant mother should know a few simple ways to help her quickly calm down:

1. Calm walks in the park, slow and deep breathing help you relax and unwind.
2. A light massage and soft music improve your well-being.
3. A healthy night's sleep and short afternoon naps provide energy and prevent fatigue.
4. Any physical activity is good for relieving accumulated tension. Pregnant women can do special gymnastics, exercises with a fitball, and yoga.

In order to avoid the need to urgently take sedatives in tense situations, it is better to engage in prevention. A good preventive measure is auto-training, regular exercises of which help manage your condition and cope with anxiety. Based on personal experience, I can say that several months of such training give impressive results.

Video: 5 ways to calm your nerves during pregnancy

Safe methods for relieving stress in pregnant women

You can try to calm your nerves without using medications. First of all, you should adjust your daily routine:

• go to bed and wake up at the same time;
• find time for daytime sleep;
• spend one to two hours a day in the fresh air;
• whenever possible, engage in physical exercise for pregnant women;
• limit activities that provoke anxiety and anxiety.

The most suitable means are various relaxation techniques with closed eyes and calm breathing. Contemplating the sky, changing clouds, the sea, listening to the sound of rain, rustling leaves, watching birds, animals and insects will quickly help you calm down.

I believe that any sedative medications should be used when carrying a child only in extreme cases and as prescribed by a doctor, when other methods do not help. My wife left work during her pregnancy so as not to get tired and worry too much. Daily practice of a relaxation exercise from the yoga arsenal, called Shavasana, helps restore peace of mind. In the classic version, this asana is performed lying on your back. But in late pregnancy it can be done lying on your side. It brings calm and tranquility. My mother tried to take Corvalol for insomnia. Mom felt that the drug was truly addictive and stopped using it.

What's the catch?

When should you use Corvalol? Can I use this medication during pregnancy? Surely everyone knows that the named drug is used mainly for heart pain. It is able to calm the nerves and also reduce irritability. Logically, if it is taken by older people, whose health, as a rule, does not shine (and often leaves much to be desired), then “Corvalol” during early pregnancy cannot harm either. Is this really true? It would be advisable to answer this question in detail.

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Sometimes doctors prescribe it for problems with the digestive system and gall bladder. Although many women note a weak calming effect of valerian, its relative harmlessness makes it popular among pregnant women.

And yet we should not forget other contraindications. Corvalol contains medicinal valerian in the form of essential oil. This means that certain restrictions are imposed on its use. Esters and essential oils may increase the risk of allergic reactions, especially in individuals predisposed to them.

In addition, they are dangerous for pregnant women with bronchial asthma due to their ability to cause narrowing of the bronchi - bronchospasm. This is a serious complication, which is manifested by difficulty in exhaling and a feeling of suffocation. During pregnancy, there are general contraindications for all essential oils.

They are prohibited for the following pathologies:.

Considering the possible negative effect of the components of Corvalol on the course of pregnancy, the need for its administration during this period remains controversial.

Causes allergies

– Olga Fedorovna, many are so accustomed to Corvalol – especially people of the older generation – that they drink it almost every day – in any stressful situation. It’s hard for them to believe that experts have long since written off the familiar, “Soviet” medicine. – Previously, we really often recommended Corvalol or Valocordin (drugs with approximately the same composition, which include ethyl ester of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid and phenobarbital) as a sedative and antispasmodic for tachycardia, sleep disorders, and intestinal spasms. The drugs are available, but this does not mean that the drugs are absolutely safe. Even when used as prescribed by a doctor, they can still lead to side effects: dizziness, decreased concentration. They are eliminated from the body very slowly. Not only is long-term and regular use of phenobarbital dangerous, albeit in small doses, but ethyl bromoisovalerianate (ethyl ester of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid) is also no longer a harmless component. With frequent use, the body receives chronic intoxication with bromine: apathy, depression, conjunctivitis, and impaired coordination of movements occur. And phenobarbital, in addition to its inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, even in small dosages increases the activity of liver enzymes, which reduces the activity of some medications taken together with it. For example, it reduces the effectiveness of contraceptives. Why take something that is dangerous when we have less toxic alternatives? “But even now there are often cases when an ambulance comes to a patient with high blood pressure, and the doctor recommends taking Corvalol, a tablespoon at once. – When the drug is used by a doctor, it is a completely different matter. In order to relieve excessive emotionality, which may interfere with the effective reduction of blood pressure, the doctor may give Corvalol to reduce the pulse rate. And in pharmacology, we sometimes use a drug to enhance the effects of other drugs that the doctor will now give.

– I read that our usual analgin is also almost never prescribed by doctors. – There was a time when among the most popular drugs was analgin, which was used as an analgesic and antipyretic. And although it has been used in our country for more than 80 years, its mechanism of action is not fully understood, and the side effects are serious. It is especially dangerous for blood cells: it can lead to agranulocytosis (blood disease - NCC). May cause a severe allergic reaction. Now the pharmaceutical industry offers us a wide range of painkillers and antipyretics with proven effectiveness and safer. – The question may arise: if the drug is outdated long ago, why is it produced and then sold? – Firstly, not everything that is sold must be bought. And even in pharmacy, demand creates supply. Well, not all drugs with a long history of use lose their relevance. They can improve while keeping their old name. Over time, the range of indications for use of the drug may change. For example, aspirin has been used in medical practice for more than a hundred years. But if earlier it was used mainly as an analgesic or antipyretic for colds, now it is more often used as an antiplatelet (blood thinning) agent, which is necessary for a number of cardiovascular diseases. Innovations in pharmacy make it possible to improve medicines.

Corvalol: composition, properties, indications for use

Despite the fact that Corvalol began to be produced in the Soviet Union more than fifty years ago, it remains one of the most popular sedatives today. More than 70 million packages of Corvalol are purchased in Russia every year.

The most potent component of the drug is phenobarbital. The latter is a chemical compound derived from barbituric acid. When phenobarbital enters the human body, it activates gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is located inside the brain tissue, which causes inhibition of all processes in the central nervous system.

In addition to phenobarbital, the drug contains:

• ethylbromoisovalerate - a derivative of valerian oil;
• peppermint oil.

Both components have a calming and relaxing effect. Thanks to this composition, Corvalol is classified as a hypnotic and sedative and is prescribed in the following cases:

• neurotic disorders;
• sleep disorders;
• anxiety, restlessness;
• overexcitement;
• increased heart rate for unknown reasons.

The medicine is available in two forms:

• drops for oral administration;
• pills.

Corvalol is available in the form of tablets and drops for oral administration.

The drops contain ethyl alcohol. In Russia you can purchase Corvalol from a number of domestic manufacturers:

• Pharmstandard;
• "Pharma Start";
• "Tver Pharmaceutical Factory";
• "Yaroslavl Pharmaceutical Factory";
• Ecolab;
• "Permpharmacy";
• "Murom Instrument-Making;
• "Hippocrates".

Corvalol in the first trimester

It is most dangerous to take Corvalol during early pregnancy. The components of the drug pass through the placental barrier and disrupt the development of the fetus during the formation of its main organs and systems.

In the 1st trimester, Corvalol disrupts fetal development

Consequences of taking the drug before the 13th week of pregnancy:

• Impaired functionality of the nervous system.
• Hormonal imbalance.
• The likelihood of epileptic seizures.
• Congenital pathologies.
• Congenital changes in the structures of the heart, due to which blood circulation is impaired.

As you can see, the negative effect of Corvalol on the fetus is quite serious, and therefore doctors strongly recommend choosing safe drugs to eliminate neuroses. Expectant mothers should remember that there are safer relaxation methods; they will be described in more detail below.