Corvalol for tachycardia: how to take, contraindications

The effect of Corvalol on cardiac activity

Corvalol is used for pain in the heart muscle, problems with the central nervous system, sleep disorders, or as a complex therapy during the treatment of hypertension, VSD and arterial spasms. The cause of pain in the heart can be several factors, most often due to disruption of the central nervous system. Disturbances in the blood supply to the walls of the myocardium are also a common cause of pain in the cardiac region. The organs of the digestive system and lungs located in close proximity to the heart muscle can be reflected in painful attacks in the heart if there are problems in their functioning.

Does Corvalol help with heart pain? – helps, provided that the drug is used competently and rationally.

In cases where cardialgia is caused by stress and, as a result, vasospasm, Corvalol will be very useful, since it has a calming effect due to the presence of derivatives of valeric acid, peppermint and phenobarbital in its composition. This drug causes irritation of the oral mucosa, which in turn slows down the sympathetic nervous system and its functioning.

There is a relaxation and decrease in the activity of the vasomotor center, blood and coronary vessels. Corvalol helps suppress the activity of the reticular formation, which reduces the excitability of the central nervous system. Based on the listed properties of Corvalol, it can be noted that it has an antispasmodic effect, reduces pulse and relieves headaches and heart pain, thereby benefiting the body and improving general condition.

First aid for angina pectoris - recommendations and procedure

Any pain or disturbances in the functioning of the heart require close attention. This is especially true for angina attacks, which, if ignored, can be costly for the patient. Knowledge of the rules of first aid for angina pectoris is necessary, and sometimes can save a person’s life.

It is immediately worth noting that the recommendations presented in the article cannot replace qualified medical care - any serious attack of angina that is not relieved with nitroglycerin requires immediate hospitalization of the patient in a specialized medical institution. But providing pre-medical care increases the chance of a favorable outcome from an exacerbation of the disease.

Strictly speaking, angina itself is not exactly a disease in its usual sense. It is rather a condition in which, due to blockage of the coronary arteries and their spasm, a number of negative phenomena occur. The main one is pain, which has a paroxysmal character. It can be of varying intensity and in some cases goes away quickly even without taking nitroglycerin.

Indications for seeking emergency first aid for angina pectoris are the following conditions:

Pain in the chest occurred for the first time, has an aching, burning character and is not associated with physical activity (which, in principle, is not necessary);
Painful sensations last more than 5 minutes, their intensity increases;
Associated general weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting;
After taking nitroglycerin, the pain does not disappear. This condition is very dangerous, as it may indicate a possible myocardial infarction.

The patient needs to be seated in the way he sees fit and comfortable for himself. The legs must be down. He should not be allowed to make any sudden movements;
Many patients experiencing an attack may be in a state of extreme nervous excitability. It is necessary to calm the person in every possible way, not allowing him to make sudden, voluntary movements. 30 drops of Corvalol can help you calm down. Also, extracts of motherwort and valerian have a good, gentle sedative effect;
It is necessary to provide access to fresh air to the patient. To do this, all windows and vents in the room should be opened;
During an attack, be sure to take a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. If there is no effect, the reception can be repeated, but not more than once. In general, nitroglycerin has a significant number of contraindications and side effects, so taking it unless absolutely necessary is highly not recommended. In addition, it can cause a severe headache, which can be easily relieved by giving the patient a validol tablet sublingually.
In the absence of nitroglycerin, or in case of individual intolerance to it, in order to stop the attack, you should take another drug of the nitrate group, since there are now plenty of them in pharmacies. Medicines such as nitrospray or isotket are available in aerosol form and act much faster than traditional nitroglycerin.
The patient should also take ½ tablet of aspirin. Acetylsalicylic acid dilutes blood clots and reduces blood viscosity, thereby protecting against the possibility of stroke and myocardial infarction.
In case of pronounced tachycardia (heart rate more than 80 beats per minute), it is necessary to take an adrenergic blocker drug prescribed by a doctor. Self-administration (without medical prescription) of these medications is unacceptable.

In some cases, an acute attack of angina can progress to myocardial infarction - a condition that poses a significant threat to human life.

It is very important to know its signs:

a sharp increase in chest pain, often radiating to the shoulder, jaw and even cheekbones;
general weakness that came on suddenly;
pronounced shortness of breath, difficult and shallow breathing;
profuse cold sweat.

So, now you know how to provide first aid for angina pectoris. Remember these recommendations, because maybe one day they will help save someone's life.

The therapeutic effect of the tablets is due to their composition. The drug has a calming effect, helps relieve emotional stress, and promotes the rapid onset of natural sleep. Peppermint essential oil expands the lumen of veins and capillaries, restores blood flow. This helps relieve spasms and normalize blood pressure.

When prescribing Corvalol, the following features of its interaction with other medications are taken into account:

drugs that have a suppressive effect on the central nervous system increase the therapeutic effect of Corvalol;
Corvalol enhances the effect of painkillers;
phenobarbital reduces the effect of drugs metabolized in the liver (hormones, oral contraceptives, coumarin derivatives);
medications based on valproic acid also enhance the effect of Corvalol.

During treatment with other drugs, Corvalol tablets should be taken only as prescribed by a specialist.

Instructions for use of Corvalol for heart pain

In cases where pain in the heart is caused by psychological disorders due to stress, sleep disturbances and neuroses, Corvalol can be an effective remedy for relieving pain through a calming effect. Severe vasospasm, narrowing of the coronary arteries, atherosclerosis and angina pectoris cannot be eliminated by the use of Corvalol; the calming properties alone will not be enough for an effective effect.

The release form of Corvalol can be of three types:

Drops for oral use;
Pills;
Gelatin capsules.

Corvalol is most often used in the form of drops, due to its rapid therapeutic effect. At one time, a dose of 15-30 drops is recommended for sugar or with a small amount of water. Two to four doses of the drug are allowed per day. In cases of increased pain and rapid heartbeat, the recommended dose can be increased to 50 drops per dose. Corvalol tablets are often taken sublingually (under the tongue) or with a sufficient amount of water - 3 times a day. Capsules are taken 2 times a day, with the exception of critical conditions, when the dose can be increased to 3 capsules.

In case of a sudden attack of severe pain in the heart, it is recommended to use Corvalol in the form of drops on a piece of sugar or tablets under the tongue. In this case, the effect of the drug occurs within 3-5 minutes. After pain, you must immediately consult a doctor for a detailed examination. Corvalol helps with the heart only if the pain is associated with mental disorders and not due to a cardiac disease.

Medications

Most drugs are sold without a prescription and should be taken at home. You can find out more about the types of medications in the article:

Validol. It has a calming effect and is useful for eliminating stress. In the fight against angina pectoris, the drug is ineffective; to enhance the effect, simultaneous use of nitroglycerin is recommended. Both products are placed under the tongue and dissolve. The drugs can dramatically lower blood pressure.
Corvalol. It has a calming effect, but does not help with intercostal neuralgia. Available in tincture and tablet form.

Attention! It has been proven that abuse of Corvalol negatively affects liver function. Before use, consult a doctor.

Acetylsalicylic acid. The familiar Aspirin can cope with heart pain; one tablet is enough. The drug must be chewed well.
Cardiomagnyl. Thins the blood and is used to prevent heart attack and stroke. One-time dose of one tablet.

These remedies will help when your heart hurts at home.

Important! Any drug must be approved by a specialist.

Contraindications for use

Corvalol for the heart, like many pharmaceutical drugs, has its contraindications and is not recommended for use by certain groups of people. Phenobarbital, which is part of this drug, is one of the main reasons for the prohibition for use in certain cases. Severe diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs may be a reason to contraindicate the use of this pharmaceutical product.

Children under 18 years of age;
During pregnancy and lactation;
In case of individual intolerance to certain components;
For hypotension, hypotension;
Kidney and liver failure;
Persons suffering from alcohol or drug addiction;
For diabetes mellitus.

Method of administration and dose

How to take Corvalol tablets? The dose of the drug should be selected by the attending physician based on a study of the patient’s medical history and diagnosis. Typically, adults are prescribed 3 tablets per day. The method of administration depends on the patient's preference. The tablet can be placed under the tongue, dissolved slowly, or swallowed with plenty of water.

Important! During an attack of tachycardia, accompanied by rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath, a single dose of the medicine can be increased to 3 tablets.

Possible side effects

Corvalol has a number of side effects, the main of which is addiction to the component - phenobarbital. Psychological dependence arises, forcing you to take the drug much more often than prescribed. It should also be noted that the medication lowers blood pressure, which becomes an obstacle for people suffering from anemia.

Possible side effects when taking or overdosing with Corvalol:

Gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting).
Central nervous system inhibition (confusion, impaired coordination).
Constipation.
Dyspnea.
Bradycardia.
Allergic reaction to the components of the composition.
Low blood pressure and weakness.

Main analogues of Corvalol

There are cases when Corvalol or some components in its composition are contraindicated for use. In such situations, it is recommended to replace the drug with one similar in composition or therapeutic effect on the body. Analogues of Corvalol include: Valocordin, Valoserdin and Validol.

Valocardine is an almost complete copy of Carvalol in composition and therapeutic effect. Contains ethyl bromizovalerianate, phenobarbital, hop and mint oil. It is used as a vasodilator, sedative and hypnotic.
Valoserdin - contains the following components: peppermint oil, phenobarbital, ethyl bromizovalerianate, oregano essential oils. Relaxes smooth muscles and regulates heart contractions, while providing a calming effect.
Validol is known for its vasodilating, sedative and analgesic effect. Contains the active ingredient - levomenthol solution. Calms the nervous system and has a pronounced sedative effect.

Corvalol for heart failure – General Doctor

To relieve heart pain, which occurs due to excessive exposure to a psychotraumatic factor or disruption of hormonal regulation of the body, insomnia, a drug such as Corvalol is prescribed. It is used for the complex treatment of hypertension, vegetative-vascular dystonia, mild spasm of the coronary arteries of the heart.

Corvalol: what it helps with, how to take it, indications and effect on the body

Feelings of tightness in the chest, anxiety, sleepless nights, heart pain and heavy breathing are the main prescriptions for which Corvalol helps.

Most people consider this drug almost a panacea for all ills and always keep a bottle or two of strong-smelling drops in their medicine cabinet.

However, few people think about what this remedy is, what is in its composition, what its therapeutic effect is based on, and, most importantly, how to use it correctly.

Causes of heart pain

If you experience heart pain, you should not try to diagnose it yourself; you should seek medical help as soon as possible. The doctor will conduct all the necessary studies and prescribe appropriate treatment. To determine the cause of unpleasant sensations in the heart area, it is necessary to pay attention to the degree of their severity. If a person feels a pressing pain that also extends to the left arm, this symptom may indicate cardiac ischemia. With acute myocardial infarction, longer and more intense pain sensations appear.

Myocarditis is accompanied by aching, pressing, stabbing pain in the heart area that occurs after physical exertion. Most often, unpleasant sensations in the heart are observed with pericarditis; they can appear in the hypochondrium; their peculiarity is their dependence on body position and breathing. Cardiomyopathy and myocardial dystrophy are almost always accompanied by pain. With mitral valve prolapse, long aching, pinching or pressing pain symptoms are observed. Pain associated with neurology can often be confused with manifestations of heart disease. However, in this case, the discomfort depends on the movements of the chest and intensifies when changing position or taking a deep breath.

What to do if you have heart pain

If heart pain appears for the first time, you need to take 40 drops of Valocordin or Corvalol. You can also place a Validol tablet under your tongue. You need to ensure yourself peace. Then you should take an Aspirin tablet and an Analgin tablet, washing them down with half a glass of water. If the pain does not subside after 15 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.

If the patient knows his diagnosis, and he is overtaken by heart pain, the following must be done to relieve the attack. For angina pectoris, you need to place a Nitroglycerin tablet under your tongue; fresh air is needed. If discomfort in the heart is caused by neurosis, valerian, fresh air, and physical activity will be useful. The cause of unpleasant symptoms in the heart may be high blood pressure, in which case you need to take a fast-acting medicine that reduces it, for example Corinfar.

The appearance of sharp pain in the heart can be a symptom of a heart attack. You need to sit the person down and give him a Validol tablet or 40 drops of Corvalol (Valocordin) under his tongue. If this does not help, you should give the patient a Nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue and immediately call an ambulance. For heart pain, “Sustak”, “Nitranol”, “Sorbitol”, “Nitrosorbitol” can help, but these drugs do not act immediately (on average after 10-15 minutes).

From this article you will learn what Corvalol helps with, what symptoms it relieves, and whether it helps cure heart disease. What is the mechanism of action of this drug.

Corvalol is a combined medication with a sedative (calming), vasodilator and antispasmodic effect. It is prescribed for neuroses, as well as for pain in the heart and stomach due to nervousness.

Before using the drug, consult your physician. If you are going to take a drug for heart pain, consult a cardiologist and undergo an examination that will help determine the causes of this symptom.

Questions for the doctor - what to do if your heart hurts?

Hungover

Answer: First of all, cleanse the intestines - drink activated charcoal (1 tablet per 10 kg of your weight), wash down with still water. Dilute the water with lemon juice. Replenish your body with vitamin C and mineral salts. Take 16 drops of valocordin and hawthorn tincture per 100 ml of water. Do not increase the dose. Open the windows, ventilate the apartment, lie down under the blanket, try not to think about bad things and go to sleep. Remember, alcohol is harmful to your health.

In a teenager

Answer: If a teenager experiences heart pain, it is necessary to visit a doctor. Be sure to follow general recommendations: do not overeat (especially at night), exclude coffee, spicy and fatty foods from your diet, give preference to dietary nutrition. Physical activity has a beneficial effect: morning exercises, walking at a calm pace, swimming, light running (starting with short distances and gradually increasing them).

It is worth taking a course of sedatives: valerian or motherwort. Before going to bed, take baths with added salt. Get a massage to help relieve pain.

If the heart suddenly hurts, help the child take a position in which it will be comfortable, wash his face with water, provide fresh air and give a sedative. Monitor your child’s health and make an appointment with a specialist.

When inhaling

Answer: The very first thing to do if you have pain in the heart while inhaling is to suddenly change the position you are in and take a deep breath. This syndrome is considered harmless; it can make itself felt several times a day. But it is still necessary to visit a doctor under such circumstances.

From worries

Answer: In stressful situations, adrenaline is released and heart spasms appear. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you need to do some exercises and provide yourself with physical activity. You can do about 30 squats, push-ups, running in place will help. You can take a course of sedatives (tinctures of hawthorn and motherwort) so as not to react so sharply to situations that irritate you.

After coffee

Answer: It is better to observe moderation in drinking the drink! You can change the brand, switch from custard to instant variety. If the case occurs repeatedly, eliminate coffee from your diet and be sure to consult a cardiologist until the cause is determined and a diagnosis is made. Next, follow the doctor's recommendations.

During pregnancy

Answer: Treatment of severe heart pain during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that not every drug can be used. Some medications can cause abortion, while other drugs have a detrimental effect on the baby's health. Treatment of the heart should only take place under the supervision of doctors; self-medication is unacceptable. You can strengthen your heart to avoid such troubles.

Composition of Corvalol

To understand how the drug affects the symptoms of diseases, consider its composition. Active ingredients of Corvalol:

Alpha-bromoisovaleric acid ethyl ester is a component isolated from the essential oil of valerian. This substance produces a mild sedative effect, as well as a mild antispasmodic effect.
Phenobarbital is a medicinal chemical compound from the group of barbiturates. It has sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects.
Peppermint oil – has an antispasmodic and vasodilator effect.

Corvalol for tachycardia how many drops

"Corvalol" is a combination drug that contains phenobarbital, peppermint oil, and ethyl ester of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid.
The drug has a calming, vasodilating, antispasmodic effect, and improves natural sleep. "Corvolol" is prescribed as a sedative and vasodilator for sinus tachycardia, cardialgia, high blood pressure, insomnia, autonomic lability, neurotic conditions, hypochondriacal syndrome, irritability.

Due to its antispasmodic effect, the drug is used for intestinal and biliary colic.

Corvalol is taken before meals, two to three times a day, 15-30 drops. First, the drops are dissolved in 30-50 ml of water. A single dose can be increased to 30-40 drops for vascular spasms and tachycardia. Children are prescribed 3-15 drops of the drug. Corvalol tablets are taken one or two times two or three times a day before meals. For tachycardia, you can take up to three tablets at a time.

The duration of taking Corvalol is determined by the doctor according to indications individually. While taking the drug, extreme caution must be exercised when operating machinery, driving vehicles, or engaging in activities that require concentration and reaction speed. You should not take the drug simultaneously with alcohol, which enhances the effect of Corvalol and aggravates the side effects.

"Corvalol": contraindications, side effects

Corvalol is contraindicated in cases of severe renal and liver failure, during lactation, and in cases of detected hypersensitivity. The drug is used with caution during pregnancy.

Corvalol can cause a decrease in heart rate, drowsiness, dizziness, impair the ability to concentrate, and allergies.

Long-term use of the drug can lead to addiction, dependence, and cause withdrawal symptoms.

The consequences of addiction to the drug are natural: a decrease in the effectiveness of the normal dose leads to the need to increase it, as a result of which overdose symptoms develop and intensify.

An overdose of Corvalol is manifested in a decrease in blood pressure, depression of the nervous system, nystagmus, conjunctivitis, ataxia, chronic bromine poisoning (rhinitis, hemorrhagic diathesis). Impaired motor coordination (depression, apathy) appear.

Treatment of overdose consists of symptomatic therapy.

What does Corvalol help with?

The drug Corvalol, which helps against heart pathologies, is an effective antispasmodic and sedative medicine that helps improve sleep.

Release form and composition

It is produced in the form of tablets in blisters and oral drops in vials. The composition of Corvalol in tablets includes the following components: ethyl bromizovalerianate, phenobarbital and peppermint leaf oil in proportions of 12.42, 11.34 and 0.88 mg/tab, respectively, as well as excipients - lactose (in the form of monohydrate), β-cyclodextrin, acesulfame K, stearate Mg.

The composition of Corvalol in drops includes: ethyl bromizovalerianate, phenobarbital and peppermint leaf oil in proportions of 20, 18.26 and 1.42 mg/ml, respectively, as well as 96% ethanol, purified water, stabilizer. One milliliter of solution is 26 drops.

The composition of drugs from different manufacturers may differ slightly. For example, the composition of Corvalol N (not available in tablets, only in the form of oral drops) in addition to the indicated active ingredients also includes hop oil (concentration - 0.2 mg/ml). Excipients of the drug: sodium acetate trihydrate, diluted acetic acid, purified water, 96% ethanol.

pharmachologic effect

The medicine Corvalol, for which it is used for many indications, is a combined remedy, the properties of which are determined by the action of the following active substances: phenobarbital, ethyl ester of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid, peppermint oil. In general, the drug has a calming and antispasmodic, reflex vasodilating (vasodilating) effect, and improves natural sleep.

Indications for use of Corvalol tablets

Corvalol tablets are prescribed for the treatment of:

neuroses with increased irritability;
VSD and hypertension (used in complex therapy);
insomnia;
tachycardia and spasm of coronary vessels (provided that these conditions are not pronounced);
intestinal spasms caused by neurovegetative disorders.

What do Corvalol drops help with?

Drops, like tablets, are used:

for disorders of the central nervous system, which are accompanied by increased irritability;
in the early stages of development of hypertension;
with neurocirculatory dystonia;
insomnia;
moderately severe tachycardia;
to reduce the symptoms of coronary vasospasm, provided that they are not pronounced.

Contraindications

According to the instructions, Corvalol should not be prescribed for severe renal or hepatic insufficiency, during lactation, or hypersensitivity. During pregnancy, the drug is used with caution. During therapy, extreme caution should be exercised when driving, operating machinery, or engaging in activities that require quick reaction and concentration.

How to take the drops?

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. The optimal time to take it is half an hour to an hour before meals. How many drops of Corvalol you need to drip depends on the indications.

The standard single dose is from 15 to 30 drops. In case of spasm of coronary vessels or severe tachycardia, it is allowed to increase the single dose to 40-50 drops. Recommendations on how to drink Corvalol for insomnia are as follows: add 30 drops of the drug to warm water (50 ml) and take half an hour before bedtime.

How to take the pills?

Corvalol tablets are taken orally or sublingually. Sublingual administration is preferable when you need to achieve the fastest possible effect. The instructions for use of Corvalol in tablets indicate that the standard daily dose of the drug is 2-3 tablets.

Single dose - 1 tablet. If necessary (for example, to relieve spasm of coronary vessels), the dose is increased to 3 tablets per dose. The permissible upper limit of the daily dose is 6 tablets.

How many times a day can you take the drug?

When asked how often you can take Corvalol, doctors answer that the frequency of use depends on the indications. In some cases, a single dose of medication is sufficient; in some cases, tablets/drops should be taken up to 3 times a day. The duration of the course is determined depending on the tolerability and therapeutic effectiveness of the drug.

Side effects

The use of Corvalol can cause dizziness, decreased heart rate, ability to concentrate, drowsiness, and allergies. Long-term drug therapy can lead to addiction, dependence, bromism, and withdrawal syndrome.

An overdose of Corvalol manifests itself in depression of the nervous system, decreased blood pressure, ataxia, nystagmus, chronic bromine poisoning (rhinitis, hemorrhagic diathesis, depression, impaired motor coordination, apathy, conjunctivitis).

An overdose of Corvalol is treated with symptomatic therapy. Niketamide and caffeine are indicated for depression of the nervous system.

Reviews of Corvalol and price

Reviews of Corvalol in tablets and drops are generally good, because the effectiveness of the medicine has been tested by time. However, along with them you can also find negative reviews. They usually note that the drug is really good at calming, but at the same time it greatly dulls reactions and causes lethargy.

I took twenty-five drops for tachycardia. Then, after I lost weight, I stopped taking Corvalol. Since the tachycardia has passed. Apparently, with a slim body, not only a good mood returns, but also health.

Now Corvalol (which helps against bloodsuckers) lives at the dacha, since mosquitoes can hardly tolerate it. Before going into the danger zone, I apply it to a cotton pad and lubricate all exposed parts of the body. You can also apply it to clothes, it won’t make it worse. For half an hour you don’t have to think about the bites at all. I especially like that bloodsuckers don’t sit on your face.

People also use drops for herpes, acne, even some people gargle with it for sore throats, whatever they can think of. I usually only use it as directed.

The medicine Corvalol, the price of which in tablets is about 110 - 155 rubles, the cost of drops starts from 15 rubles. You can buy it at a pharmacy.

Corvalol is a drug with a sedative (calming) effect.

Release form

Corvalol is produced in tablets and drops for internal use.

Source: https://baby-clinic-vozr.ru/narodnaya-medicina/korvalol-pri-tahikardii-skolko-kapel.html

Indications for use of the drug

Corvalol is prescribed for the following disorders:

neuroses with increased irritability or anxiety;
autonomic lability (instability of the nervous system);
hypochondriacal syndrome (excessive worry about one's health);
insomnia;
cardialgia (heart pain) of a psychological nature;
sinus tachycardia;
prehypertension (slightly elevated blood pressure - up to 139/89 mm Hg);
intestinal colic (spasm of the smooth muscles of the digestive organs).

Next, we will consider in more detail the effect of the drug in various diseases.

Side effects of Corvalol

Long-term therapy with Corvalol leads to the development of dependence on the drug; if it is abruptly discontinued, withdrawal syndrome with motor agitation and increased irritability is possible.

High doses cause intoxication, which is manifested by the following clinical symptoms:

suppression of breathing, up to complete stop;
coma;
heart rhythm disturbances such as bradycardia;
drop in blood pressure, collapse;
low body temperature;
decreased urine output.

When treated with Corvalol, you should not drink alcohol, drive a car, or work in production with mechanisms that require a quick motor reaction or increased concentration. When taking drugs such as Aspirin, Indomethacin, Diclofenac at the same time, the risk of ulcerative damage to the gastric mucosa increases.

For psycho-emotional disorders

These include neuroses, hypochondriacal syndrome, autonomic lability, and insomnia.

For disorders of this group, Corvalol is quite effective. It relieves excessive stimulation of the central nervous system. Eliminates tension, anxiety and irritability.

It helps with such disorders due to the content of α-bromoisovaleric acid ethyl ester and phenobarbital.

The sedative effect of Corvalol is similar to that of Valerian, since they have a common active ingredient. However, the sedative effect of Corvalol is more pronounced, since the effect of alpha-bromoisovaleric acid ethyl ester is enhanced by the action of phenobarbital.

For insomnia

Corvalol helps you fall asleep faster due to the calming effect provided by the components mentioned above.

Phenobarbital also has a hypnotic effect, but in such a small dosage that enters the body with this drug, it is weakly expressed.

That is, Corvalol does not have a strong hypnotic effect, but helps to fall asleep mainly due to its sedative effect.

Corvalol and Valocordin - do not help the heart

What do they help with, how are they different and how are people’s favorite “heart drops” harmful?

What is the only component that distinguishes the two drugs, is it possible to be poisoned by them, why the World Health Organization protects their main active ingredient, and the legislation of some developed countries prohibits it, and whether the “twins” deserve a place in your first aid kit, the section “How they treat us” tells.

In domestic films (and often in life), pensioners, at any opportunity, run to drink Valocordin (a German-made drug) or Corvalol (its domestic equivalent). There’s a “stabbing” in the heart, they’re too worried, they feel sick—and everywhere they turn for help to one of these medications, which are almost identical in composition.

Some doctors doubt the effectiveness of these drugs, calling them outdated. It would seem that it makes no difference whether the medicine is new or old, the main thing is that it helps. However, since 2007, the Formulary Committee of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences has been demanding that Corvalol and Valocordin be excluded from the list of drugs distributed under the program of additional drug provision for budget money. What's the catch? Let's see what is included in the composition of famous drugs.

From what, from what?

The most potent component of the drug is phenobarbital. This substance belongs to the group of barbiturates - derivatives of barbituric acid. According to one version, this acid was named in honor of the feast of St. Barbara, according to another - in honor of the girl Barbara, who was liked by the discoverer of acid, Adolf von Bayer.

Barbiturates are potent nervous system depressants, causing conditions ranging from mild drowsiness to coma and loss of respiratory muscle control, depending on the dose. Their main problem is the narrow therapeutic window: it can be difficult to find a concentration that already puts you to sleep, but not yet forever.

Phenobarbital has been known as a drug since 1912. It was sold under the brand name Luminal and was one of the most commonly used sleeping pills until the 1950s, when the next generation of sleeping pills appeared.

Phenobarbital molecule model

On the one hand, phenobarbital is included in the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines as a cheap medicine for convulsions and epilepsy. Although it is considered a drug of first choice only in developing countries (largely due to its low production cost). On the other hand, phenobarbital is prohibited for import into the USA, UAE and other countries, and in Russia it is included in the list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, which are subject to strict control when imported into the country.

The mechanism of action of phenobarbital also makes it similar to other barbiturates. It interacts with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor.

Not on the lists

What can be treated with phenobarbital? After 105 years of use, enough research and evidence has accumulated for the Cochrane Collaboration to do several reviews on the topic, testing where the substance helps and where it is useless or even dangerous.

The Cochrane Library is a database of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international non-profit organization involved in the development of guidelines from the World Health Organization. The organization's name comes from its founder, the 20th-century Scottish medical scientist Archibald Cochrane, who championed the need for evidence-based medicine and good clinical trials and wrote the book Efficiency and Effectiveness: Random Reflections on Health Care. Medical scientists and pharmacists consider the Cochrane Database to be one of the most authoritative sources of such information: the publications included in it have been selected according to the standards of evidence-based medicine and report the results of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Phenobarbital is used for epilepsy and all types of convulsive seizures (except petit mal seizure) in third world countries, although in developed countries it has already become a third-choice drug or has found itself on the margins of the health care system.

Another condition that can cause seizures is a collection of blood under the dura mater (called chronic subdural hematoma). It threatens older people who have damaged venous vessels in the brain. Some doctors use phenobarbital and other barbiturates to prevent seizures and convulsions in this case too. However, clinical trials do not justify such a strategy, because with subdural hematomas, convulsions do not always occur, and barbiturates have too serious side effects to prescribe them “just in case.” The same applies to epileptic seizures due to brain tumors.

Historically, phenobarbital may have been used in the treatment of newborns or for the treatment of epileptic seizures in pregnancy. But this approach also rarely justifies itself. Clinical trials have shown that phenobarbital does not help reduce the risk of brain bleeding in babies born prematurely (before 34 weeks). Also, the usefulness of the drug for jaundice in newborns and perinatal asphyxia has not been proven (in the latter case, the risk of developmental defects and deformities in the child is also added).

Mint, hops and valerian

But the list of active (or inactive) substances Corvalol and Valocordin does not end with phenobarbital. In addition to it, it includes ethyl bromizovalerianate (a derivative of the valerian oil component), as well as mint and hop oils. What are these substances capable of?

Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita), which we wrote about in a review of chest cough preparations, is used in aromatherapy as a relaxing and sedative; it is often used in the complex treatment of colds for inhalation or as a cooling agent for external use, but it cannot be considered a real medicine. . There are studies showing that inhaling peppermint vapor helps with nausea after anesthesia, but double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on the effects of peppermint in humans are few and far between.

The same goes for valerian (Valeriana officinalis), which is widely known as a sedative and can even help with convulsions. Still, valerian is not an ideal component from the point of view of evidence-based medicine, although it has approval from the European Medicines Agency due to its safety.

Hops extract (Humulus lupulus), which we have already discussed as a component of the sedative Novo-passit, in combination with valerian has a weak hypnotic effect, which was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 180 patients with various sleep disorders. The work was published in 2005 in Sleep magazine.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled method is a method of clinical drug research in which the subjects are not privy to important details of the study. “Double blind” means that neither the subjects nor the experimenters know who is being treated with what, “randomized” means that the assignment to groups is random, and placebo is used to show that the effect of the drug is not based on self-hypnosis and that This medicine helps better than a tablet without active ingredients. This method prevents subjective distortion of the results. Sometimes the control group is given another drug with proven effectiveness, rather than a placebo, to show that the drug not only treats better than nothing, but is superior to its analogues.

However, in a 2020 review (not Cochrane this time), which also looked at valerian and its combination with hops (seven scientific articles) against insomnia, the authors emphasize that there is a lack of solid and unambiguous evidence.

By the way, hop oil is the only ingredient (apart from a very small difference in concentrations) that distinguishes Valocordin from Corvalol. The German “original” has it, but they decided not to add it to the Soviet analogue.

Be careful and do not treat heart disease with these drugs.

Phenobarbital and hop oil in Corvalol and Valocordin have a subtle hypnotic effect, while valerian and mint oils have a sedative effect. These medications do not help with anything else (neither “heart problems” nor any other serious health problems). But this is indicated in the instructions, which list indications such as insomnia, overexcitement and complex therapy of neuroses, but not angina pectoris or other serious cardiovascular disease.

Moreover, if you drink Corvalol and Valocordin, neglecting the real treatment of heart disease, the situation may only get worse. Nothing will happen “on your own”, and this approach can have very unpleasant consequences. And even for hypochondriacs, who needlessly worry that something is wrong with them, it is unsafe to constantly give these drugs as a placebo and in the hope of self-hypnosis, because an overdose of phenobarbital threatens serious poisoning, even death (although for this you need to drink a lot a lot of these drugs). The possible narcotic effect of phenobarbital is also discussed, due to which Corvalol and Valocordin can be addictive with constant use. Large doses of the drug should not be used by pregnant women.

Unlike phenobarbital, the essential oils in Valocordin and Corvalol do not have pronounced and undoubtedly proven therapeutic effects, but are considered harmless and are sold everywhere, so if you are not allergic to hop, valerian or mint extracts, they are unlikely to be for you dangerous. However, isovaleric acid is present there in combination with bromine, so that with long-term use of large doses of the drug, bromine can accumulate in the body, causing chronic poisoning.

Author: Ekaterina Mishchenko Published in the magazine “Indicator”, 09/07/2017

For pain in the heart

This medication is prescribed only if the pain is psychological in nature (caused by stress, lack of sleep, neuroses). In this case, the sedative effect of Corvalol is useful. Due to its sedative effect, the drug relieves heart pain.

α-bromoisovaleric acid ethyl ester and peppermint oil have a mild vasodilator effect, which helps relieve mild spasm of the coronary arteries. This spasm can be caused by stress, neuroses, and smoking.

However, with severe vasospasm or narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, which causes angina pectoris (attacks of severe pain in the heart), Corvalol is ineffective.

Analogues of the drug

We advise you to read: Instructions for Mildronate

Valocordin drops - a phenobarbital-based drug used for insomnia, neuralgic disorders, sinus tachycardia, early stages of hypertension and other diseases;
Corvaltab tablets are a drug that has a vasodilator effect, a moderate antispasmodic, and sedative effect. The drug is based on phenobarbital and includes mint oil and other auxiliary components. Indications for use include insomnia, tachycardia, the initial stage of hypertension, intestinal spasms caused by emotional outbursts, and other conditions;
Reladorm is a combined medication. Its active components help normalize sleep, relieve vascular spasm and nervous tension. The medicine contains diazepam, calcium cyclobarbital;
Barboval drops – have a hypotensive, antispasmodic, and coronary dilation effect. For sleep disorders, conditions accompanied by tachycardia, high blood pressure, and emotional stress, it is recommended to drink 10–15 drops of the medicine diluted in water. Sometimes the dose can reach up to 25 drops as prescribed by a doctor;
Corvaldin drops are a drug that has a sedative, antispasmodic, and hypnotic effect. The drug is based on ethyl bromizovalerianate, phenobarbital and mint oil. Corvaldin is indicated for insomnia, irritability, tachycardia, spasms of the intestinal tract and some other conditions;
Corvalol phyto - contains motherwort, ethyl bromizovalerate, mint oil and other components. The product has an antispasmodic and sedative effect. Taking the drug slows the heart rate while increasing heart contractions. Medicine is prescribed for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous disorders, insomnia and other conditions;
Corvalcaps capsules - contains α-bromoisovaleric acid, which has a calming, sedative effect and helps eliminate smooth muscle tone. Phenobarbital relieves nervous tension and promotes rapid sleep. Corvalcaps is used for conditions associated with sleep disorders, nervous feelings, tachycardia, spasm of the coronary vessels, the initial stage of hypertension and other diseases.

Corvalcaps is one of the analogues of Corvalol, which has a similar composition and therapeutic effect

Important! Analogues should be selected based on an examination of the patient and the diagnosis made by the attending physician; self-medication can cause lasting harm to the body.