Corvalol
Barbiturate-based tranquilizer popular in Eastern Europe.
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Corvalol is a tranquilizer containing the barbiturate phenobarbital along with valerian root, peppermint oil, and hop extract. Developed in the USSR in 1960 as an analogue of the German drug Valocordin, it is widely used in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union as a heart medication. Despite phenobarbital being a prescription-only substance in many countries, Corvalol is sold without a prescription in Russia.
Quick Facts
- Year of development
- 1960
- Country of origin
- USSR
- Original analogue
- Valocordin (Germany)
- Dea schedule (phenobarbital)
- Schedule IV
- Formulations
- Liquid and tablets
Facts from the source article.
Medical uses
The manufacturer labels Corvalol for use in neuroses with heightened irritability, insomnia, as part of complex treatment for hypertension, non-acute coronary vessel spasm, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal cramping as a spasmolytic agent. Valerian extract contains 3-methylbutyric acid (isovaleric acid), which is modified by bromine substitution in Corvalol; therefore, studies on unmodified valerian are not applicable. Phenobarbital is a barbiturate anticonvulsant used for epilepsy and sedation, but no evidence supports its use in cardiovascular or bronchospastic conditions.
Safety
Corvalol and its components lack support from randomized clinical trials in humans, so caution is advised in patients with serious cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension or angina, and respiratory conditions like asthma. Prescription medications with proven efficacy should be preferred. The American Geriatrics Society recommends against phenobarbital use in the elderly due to high physical dependence, tolerance to sleep benefits, and overdose risk at low doses. Overdose symptoms include CNS depression, confusion, dizziness, ataxia, somnolence, and in serious cases, respiratory depression, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, and coma.
Drug interactions
Phenobarbital in Corvalol activates liver enzymes that break down other drugs, potentially lowering their effectiveness. It can also intensify the sedative effects of other sleep aids and tranquilizers.
Legal status
Phenobarbital is a DEA Schedule IV substance in the United States, indicating low abuse potential relative to Schedules I–III, and importing Corvalol into the U.S. is illegal. Despite its -lol suffix, it is not a beta-blocker.
Did You Know?
- The valerianate component is purported to offer mild spasmolytic effects on the vasculature.
- Clinical study showed that phenobarbital caused stupor, hypotension, hypertonicity, and aminotransferases elevation.
- The prototype Valocordin is produced by Krewel Meuselbach GmbH in Germany as a sedative.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Corvalol (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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