Overdose with Valocordin
The use of Valocordin (Corvalol) in many countries of Western Europe is prohibited or allowed strictly according to the doctor's prescription. This is due to the fact that the drug contains phenobarbital, which can cause the development of drug dependence, and ethyl alcohol, which potentiates the effect of phenobarbital.
In Russia, Valocordin can be purchased at any pharmacy, no prescription is required, which creates a false opinion about its complete harmlessness.
Source: animal-store.ru
What dose of Valocordin is needed for an overdose?
Valocordin has a mild antihypertensive, antispasmodic and sedative (calming) effect. According to the instructions, the dose for adults is 3 times a day, 15–20 drops in a little water on a piece of sugar. With severe tachycardia, a single dose can be increased to 40 drops.
Valocordin is also used in pediatric practice, but the doses, frequency and duration of admission are determined only by the attending physician, based on the age, weight of the child and his state of health.
A single intake of 10 ml of Valocordin (½ bottle) for adults causes an overdose that can lead to serious health consequences, including those that are life-threatening. For children, the toxic dose is individual, but much less.
The action of Valocordin is enhanced by tranquilizers and drugs of the sedative group, as well as ethyl alcohol, therefore, when they are used together, an overdose can occur even when taking therapeutic doses.
Long-term and uncontrolled treatment with Valocordin leads to the accumulation in the body of one of the components of the drug, namely ethyl bromisovalerianate, which is the reason for the development of chronic overdose. In addition, with prolonged use of Valocordin, drug dependence is formed, due to the presence of phenobarbital in its composition.
Signs of overdose
Acute overdose
A single dose of Valocordin, which is significantly higher than the therapeutic dose, causes an acute overdose. Depending on the dose taken and the state of the body, it can be mild, medium and heavy.
Mild to moderate overdose is characterized by:
- excessive fatigue, weakness;
- dizziness;
- drowsiness, and the sleep is so deep that it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible to wake up the victim;
- increased heart rate (tachycardia);
- violation of coordination of movements.
In case of severe overdose, the listed signs are joined by:
- rapid shallow breathing;
- arrhythmia;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
- muscle twitching;
- convulsive seizures.
In the absence of medical care, acute vascular insufficiency (collapse) develops, then, against the background of increasing hypoxia of organs and tissues, a coma. Oxygen starvation leads to brain damage, paralysis of the respiratory and vasomotor centers. As a result of increasing cardiovascular and respiratory failure, death occurs.
Chronic overdose
Chronic overdose of Valocordin, or rather, the ethyl bromoisovalerianate included in its composition, manifests itself:
- conjunctivitis;
- rhinitis;
- acne;
- apathy;
- depressive state;
- confusion of consciousness.
Source: depositphotos.com
Drug dependence can be suspected based on the following signs:
- violation of concentration of attention;
- increased fatigue;
- depressed mood, insecurity;
- inadequate reaction to the environment, including those close to you.
It is characteristic that after taking Valocordin, all these symptoms disappear almost completely.
First aid for overdose with Valocordin
First aid measures in case of acute overdose:
- Gastric lavage without a probe. The victim should drink about 1 liter of water, then, irritating the root of the tongue, induce vomiting. The procedure is performed at least 3 times. It is necessary to wash the stomach if no more than 1 hour has passed since the drug was taken.
- Reception of the sorbent. To prevent the absorption of Valocordin, which has managed to penetrate into the small intestine, you should take any drug with absorbing properties (Smecta, Activated carbon, Filtrum STI).
- Plentiful warm drink. This will speed up the elimination of toxic substances from the body.
In case of chronic overdose and / or the development of drug dependence, first aid is not required, it is necessary to stop taking the drug and consult a doctor.
Antidote
There is no specific antidote to Valocordin.
When is medical attention needed?
Seeking medical help is necessary in all cases, even with a mild overdose, since at any time a sudden and sharp deterioration of the victim's condition is possible.
Treatment of acute overdose takes place in the toxicology department, in severe cases - in the intensive care and intensive care unit:
- gastric lavage with a gastric tube;
- prevention of the development or restoration of existing respiratory and cardiovascular disorders;
- forced diuresis with blood alkalization with sodium bicarbonate solution, extracorporeal hemodialysis, hemosorption;
- with severe respiratory failure - tracheal intubation and transfer of the patient to artificial lung ventilation.
For the treatment of chronic overdose, diuretics (Lasix, Veroshpiron, Hypothiazide) are used in combination with an abundant salted drink.
Therapy of drug dependence to Valocordin requires the joint efforts of a toxicologist, narcologist and psychotherapist.
Possible complications
A severe overdose with Valocordin, even with full medical care, can be fatal. Less severe consequences include pneumonia, impaired renal function and neurological disorders in the long-term period (depression, decreased reaction speed, memory impairment, unsteady gait, etc.).
Impaired coordination of movements caused by abuse of Valocordin often causes injury to the elderly during a fall.
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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
