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Ethyl alcohol can both enhance and weaken the effect of drugs. Doctors do not recommend combining alcohol with treatment due to side effects and distortion of the result, and a number of seemingly harmless drugs can be deadly in this case. These drugs include valocordin and corvalol, which are available over the counter and are often used to relieve anxiety, insomnia, and tachycardia.
Composition of Corvalol (Valocordin)
Valocordin, an outdated but still in demand drug, appeared in Soviet pharmacies in the 1960s. The drug, developed by German pharmacists, once showed its effectiveness as a sedative and anticonvulsant, but has now been abandoned by Western medicine. Valocordin produces only one plant in Germany and exports almost all products to the territory of the post-Soviet space.
Corvalol was created by Soviet doctors as a cheap analogue of an imported medicine, and several dozen pharmacological plants in the USSR began to produce the drug. Later, another clone of valocordin appeared – valocordin, which includes the same set of components. In small doses, the drugs are not dangerous and have a slight vasodilating and calming effect.
The composition of this series of drugs is almost identical and includes:
- ethyl ester of α-bromoisovaleric acid – acts as an antispasmodic;
- phenobarbital – calms the nervous system, helps to fall asleep;
- peppermint oil – dilates blood vessels.
Valerian and mint do not pose any danger, but phenobarbital has a depressing effect on the nervous system and is included in the group of narcotic drugs, the circulation of which is limited. In drops, the medicine is contained in small doses, so valocordin and its analogues are sold in Russia without a prescription.
What is dangerous mixture of phenobarbital with ethanol
The combination of pure phenobartibal and ethyl alcohol is a deadly mixture that kills painlessly, causing a coma and subsequent circulatory arrest.
Like all barbiturates, the drug acts depressingly on the cardiovascular system and the degree of its effect depends on the amount taken. In small doses, the drug has a relaxing effect on the central nervous system, causes slight drowsiness, relieves convulsive conditions.
High doses of the drug greatly reduce blood pressure and inhibit the brain centers that are responsible for the heartbeat. The heart rate decreases, leading to a coma. Then the blood circulation stops, resulting in death.
Phenobarbital tablets are banned in the United States, Estonia and the United Arab Emirates.
How Corvalol and alcohol are combined
A single dose of 20-30 drops of Corvalol to relieve tachycardia from a hangover in most cases will not have serious consequences. However, due to the low price of drugs and their easy availability, there is a risk of overdose.
The narcotic substance causes rapid addiction, which prompts the uncontrolled and systematic use of Corvalol and Valocordin. Therefore, alcohol dependence is among the contraindications to barbiturate treatment.
Phenobarbital is poorly excreted and remains in the body for up to four days. The liver cannot cope with its splitting, toxins accumulate and negatively affect the organ. Ethanol greatly enhances the destructive effect of the drug, therefore it is advisable to drink Corvalol after alcohol no earlier than 5 days after drinking alcohol.
Consequences of taking Corvalol with alcohol:
- breathing and speech disorders;
- problems with coordination of movements;
- heart failure;
- coma;
- heart failure.
In recent decades, doctors have questioned the feasibility of treatment with valocordin and its analogues, since they do not have a pronounced therapeutic effect and do not prevent stroke and myocardial infarction.
Drops relieve nervous sensations and sometimes mask serious signs of malaise, which leads to untimely seeking medical help. Despite the fact that drugs with phenobarbital remain the most popular self-treatment for heart disease in Russia, doctors categorically do not recommend taking them regularly.
Attention! Self-medication can be dangerous, consult your doctor.