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*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
If you believe the forums on the Internet, older people, at any opportunity, rush to drink “drops from the heart” – such as Valocordin or Valoserdin. However, RAMS back in 2007 warned: taking such drugs for heart disease is useless and even dangerous. Let’s see what the presented preparations consist of, how they differ and whether they deserve a place in your home first aid kit.
The drug and its characteristics | Valocordin | Valoser’s |
Pharmacological group | Sedative | |
Composition | Phenobarbital + ethyl bromisovalerianate | |
Form of issue | Tablets, drops for oral administration | Drops for oral administration |
Manufacturer | Krewel Meuselbach GmbH (Germany) | “Moscow Pharmaceutical Factory” (Russia) |
Cost | 150-300 руб. | 40-60 руб. |
Both drugs are dispensed in a pharmacy without a prescription.
Caution: ineffective and dangerous!
Phenobarbital-based drugs have been known in medicine since 1912. Even at the beginning of the last century, they were used as sleeping pills. For many years, phenobarbital has been on the WHO list of essential drugs for epilepsy – although it is considered the drug of choice only in developing countries.
Phenobarbital is part of the heart drops – such as Valocordin and Valoserdin, but is not used as a remedy for pain in the heart. Contrary to popular belief, the drug has a different purpose. Phenobarbital recommended itself as a remedy for epilepsy – but according to a Cochrane review, its effectiveness is still questionable. The drug is also used in other convulsive conditions – for example, against the background of a cerebral hemorrhage, but this strategy, according to According to clinical studies is not justified.
In 2007, at a meeting of the RAMS committee, proposed by remove Valocordin and its analogues from the list of essential medicines. The drug was recognized as an outdated remedy with unproven effectiveness.
The main problem of phenobarbital, which is part of the heart drops, is the high risk of adverse reactions. The drug strongly depresses the central nervous system – up to coma, but at the same time it has a narrow therapeutic window: the difference between the therapeutic and toxic dosage is very small. Finding the right dose that calms, but does not put you in eternal sleep, is quite difficult: the risk of overdose and death is too high.
Indications for use
Valocordin and Valoserdin are products with a completely similar composition. Valocordin is an original drug made in Germany, Valoserdin is a Russian generic. Efficacy and safety assessment will be applicable to both products.
Contrary to popular belief, Valocordin and Valoserdin heart drops are not used for heart pain. Doctors warn: they will not save, but on the contrary, they can worsen the condition. When a person with pain in the heart takes Valocordin and Valoserdin, he feels a short-term relief – but the load on the heart remains. The patient loses time and gets to the doctor too late. According to conducted surveys, patients with myocardial infarction are often hospitalized 20 hours or more after the onset of an attack, while a maximum of 4 hours is needed. This is largely due to the addiction to heart drops, which mask the clinical picture, but do not cure.
In the official instructions on the use of Valocordin, heart disease does not appear. The manufacturer recommends the drug solely as a symptomatic sedative in such conditions:
neuroses with irritability, fear, anxiety, vegetative manifestations;
sleep disorders;
functional disorders of the cardiovascular system (including cardialgia, sinus tachycardia).
The instructions for the Russian Valoserdin indicate the same indications.
Despite the fact that the drugs are available without a prescription, you should not take them without the consent of your doctor. Phenobarbital-based products often lead to serious adverse reactions and are hazardous to health. In many situations, they can be replaced by other drugs that are more effective and safer.
How do heart drops work?
Valocordin and Valoserdin are combined drugs. Their action is due to the complex action of the components that make up:
Phenobarbital in low doses, it has a sedative effect, and in high doses, it has a hypnotic effect. It interacts with the GABA receptor, reduces the excitability of the central nervous system and facilitates the onset of sleep. The drug also relaxes the muscles and relieves spasm. Enhances the sedative effect of other similar substances when used together.
Ethyl bromoisovalerianate is similar to valerian. It has a sedative and antispasmodic effect and enhances inhibition in the structures of the nervous system. The drug also reduces the activity of local vasomotor centers and has a direct antispasmodic effect on smooth muscles – it relaxes the organs of the digestive tract and urinary system.
Auxiliary components complement and enhance the action of the main ones:
Mint relaxes the muscles and calms the nervous system, although Research little on this subject.
Hops enhance the effect of peppermint oil and possesses weak sedative effect.
Application Scheme
Valocordin and Valoserdin are administered orally with a small amount of liquid before meals.
Adults with neurosis, tachycardia and other similar conditions are usually recommended to take 15-20 drops.
In case of sleep disturbance, the dose of the drug is doubled.
The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the severity of the patient’s condition and are determined by the doctor after the examination.
Adverse Reactions
The instructions for the drugs indicate that they are well tolerated even with prolonged use. Possible side reactions:
drowsiness and dizziness during the daytime;
skin allergic reactions.
With prolonged use, poisoning with an auxiliary component, bromine, is possible. Depressive mood, apathy develops, coordination of movements is disturbed. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately stop treatment and consult a doctor.
With prolonged use of the drug, drug dependence develops. At first, addiction occurs, and an increasing dosage is required to achieve the desired effect. Further, emotional dependence is formed: if a person does not receive medicine, he feels anxiety. Over time, dependence becomes physical, toxic effects increase. The effect of the drug on the cerebellum is most noticeable: coordination of movements is disturbed, gait changes and reflexes slow down.
With an overdose of the drug, there is:
drowsiness;
dizziness;
lowering blood pressure;
tachycardia;
vascular collapse.
In severe cases, respiratory depression occurs and coma develops.
Противопоказания
Valocordin and Valoserdin are not used in such conditions:
severe pathology of the liver and kidneys;
individual intolerance.
The drugs are not prescribed during pregnancy and lactation, as well as children under 18 years of age.
Heart drops contain ethanol, so during therapy it is forbidden to drive a car and operate machinery.
It is forbidden to take drugs simultaneously with alcohol – this increases the risk of adverse reactions.
Conclusions
To sum up:
Valocordin and Valoserdin are sedatives. They are analogues: they have the same composition, general indications and contraindications.
Valocordin and Valoserdin are recognized as drugs with unproven effectiveness. They are not used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and are used only as sedatives for neurosis and other similar conditions.
Valocordin and Valoserdine contain phenobarbital, which causes severe adverse reactions and poses a threat to health and life. The risk of complications is higher with an overdose, and it happens often – because the difference between the therapeutic and toxic dose of the drug is very small.
Both drugs are available without a prescription, but do not self-medicate. You can take such drugs only if there are indications and as directed by a doctor.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.