The modern pharmacological market offers a huge number of antihistamines. By the way, most of these drugs not only help to cope with allergies, but also have a sedative effect. One of these is a drug called Doxylamine-Valocordin. This tool, according to reviews, really fixes some problems. So what is this remedy? What properties does it have and can cause complications? What do doctors and patients who have already tried the medicine think? The answers to these questions are sought by many readers.
The drug "Valocordin-Doxylamine": composition and form of release
This drug can be purchased in pharmacies in the form of drops for oral administration. The drug is a clear, almost colorless solution with a soft, pleasant smell of mint. Vials contain 25 ml of solution.
The main active substance of the drug is doxylamine succinate. 100 ml of the solution contains 2.5 g of this component. Naturally, some additional substances are present, in particular, purified water, 96% ethyl alcohol and peppermint oil.
What are the pharmacological properties of the drug?
How does the drug Valocordin-Doxylamine affect the body? It is an antihistamine that also has sedative properties. The main active substance of the drug is an antagonist of H1 receptors, weakening the effects of endogenous histamine, which inevitably is released during an allergic reaction. And since the component has a high affinity for the H1 receptors of the brain, it has a depressing and, accordingly, calming effect on the central nervous system.
After taking the drops, the active substance is rapidly absorbed by the digestive system. The first effect appears after 30 minutes. The maximum concentration in the patient’s blood is observed 2-2.5 hours after administration. The medicine is effective from 3 to 6 hours. Doxylamine metabolism is carried out mainly in the liver. Almost 60% of the dose is excreted in the urine. The half-life ranges from 10 to 12 hours.
The main indications for taking the drug
In what cases is it advisable to take Valocardin-Doxilami? The instruction says that there are several main indications:
- Most often, the medicine is prescribed for various sleep disorders, insomnia, however, if we are talking about not too severe cases.
- There is another problem in which the drug Valocordin-Doxylamine is used. It helps with allergic reactions, which are accompanied by skin irritations, rashes and itching, swelling of the mucous membranes, etc.
- Often drops are included in the regimen of complex therapy, for example, for colds, coughs, etc. In this case, the drug, again, acts as an antihistamine, while calming the nervous system, contributing to relaxation and a quicker recovery.
The drug "Valocordin-Doxylamine": instructions for use and dosage
It is worth saying right away that the instruction is just general recommendations. Only the attending physician can determine the exact dose or schedule and duration of administration. As a rule, a single dose of the drug is 22 drops. It is recommended to take medicine with a glass of water. If we are talking about insomnia, then drinking potassium is recommended 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
If necessary, the dose of the drug can be increased. The maximum daily amount of the drug is 44 drops. Exceeding the maximum is strictly prohibited.
The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor. For some patients, it is sufficient to take the drops occasionally, if sleep problems worsen. Others are shown full therapy. You can take drops in the original amount no longer than two days - after this, the dose should be gradually reduced until the drug is completely discontinued.
Are there any contraindications to therapy?
Is it possible for all patients to take Valocordin-Doxylamine? Drops are considered relatively safe, but nevertheless there are some limitations. So what are the contraindications in this case?
- Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug.
- General allergy to antihistamines.
- Acute asthma attack.
- Pheochromocytoma.
- The angle-closure form of glaucoma.
- Various chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma, are also a contraindication, since the drops contain peppermint oil, which can trigger a cough / suffocation attack.
- The drug "Doxylamine-Valocordin" is contraindicated in some heart rhythm disorders.
- You can not take medicine for epilepsy.
- The drug is not recommended to be taken simultaneously with treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, since there is a risk of side effects, including serotonin syndrome.
- Drops are not prescribed for poisoning with alcohol, lithium preparations, painkillers and psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics and tranquilizers.
- There is also an age restriction, in particular, it is not prescribed for children under the age of six.
Description of possible side effects and complications
Is there a risk of complications associated with treatment with Valocordin-Doxylamine? Reviews of doctors, as, in fact, various studies, confirm that some serious side effects during therapy are rarely recorded. Nevertheless, the possibility of their occurrence should not be excluded, and therefore it is useful to familiarize yourself with possible disorders:
- On the part of the nervous system, disorders such as headaches, dizziness and, rarely, cerebral seizures are possible.
- Sometimes disorders in the functioning of the senses, including tinnitus, an increase in intraocular pressure, impaired accommodation and, accordingly, a decrease in the clarity of vision, are manifested.
- Disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system are possible, for example, an increase or decrease in blood pressure, disturbances in the normal heart rhythm, and decompensated heart failure sometimes develops.
- Against the background of therapy, thickening of the secretion secreted by the tissues of the respiratory tract can occur. Less commonly, bronchospasm and bronchial obstruction develop.
- Side effects include nausea, constipation and diarrhea, as well as pain in the stomach, increased appetite, and dry mouth. Extremely rarely observed paralytic ileus .
- Allergic reactions occur with increased sensitivity of the body to the components of the drug.
- Other possible adverse reactions include cholestatic jaundice, muscle weakness, impaired urination (rarely recorded), weakness, fatigue, nasal congestion.
- Long-term use of the drug can lead to the development of tolerance, in which the body loses its sensitivity to the drug.
It is also worth saying that side effects are much more likely to occur in elderly patients. They may even lose consciousness while taking drops. Nevertheless, a correctly selected dosage of the drug minimizes the risk of complications.
Interaction with other drugs
This drug may interact with some drugs, and therefore, during a consultation, you must always inform your doctor about all the drugs you take. First of all, it must be said that “Valocordin-Doxylamine” should not be used against the background of therapy with drugs that inhibit the activity of the central nervous system. These include tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants and some other groups. With the simultaneous administration of drugs, an increase in the sedative effect is possible.
Alcohol is contraindicated during therapy. With the joint use of beta-blockers, protease inhibitors, immunosuppressants, antiarrhythmic and antiepileptic drugs, an increase in the enzymatic activity of cytochromes in the liver is possible. The simultaneous use of the drug "Doxylamine-Valocordin" with monoamine oxidase inhibitors is contraindicated, as this can lead to hypotension, and sometimes more dangerous consequences, including glaucoma, persistent urinary retention and paralytic bowel obstruction. With concomitant use with photosensitizing agents, an increased sensitivity to light may develop. It is strictly contraindicated that Epinephrine (adrenaline) should be used while taking the drops, as this can lead to serious changes in blood pressure.
Can I use drops for children and pregnant women?
Immediately it is worth saying that the sleeping pill "Valocordin-Doxylamine" can not be taken by children under the age of 15 years. On the other hand, in smaller doses, the drug is prescribed for children over 6 years old, as an antihistamine. As for the period of pregnancy, at this time, treatment should be carried out very carefully. This means that sometimes the use of drops is possible, but only as prescribed by the attending physician and in small doses. But for lactating mothers, the drug "Doxylamine-Valocordin" can not be used, since the active components penetrate into breast milk and can harm a newborn. If therapy is necessary, at this time the baby should be stopped.
Are there any analogues of the drug?
For one reason or another, drops are not suitable for some patients. This can happen, for example, due to an allergy to peppermint or another component. So is it possible to replace the drug Valocordin-Doxylamine with something? Analogues of the drug exist, and the modern market offers them a lot. For example, Donormil tablets are considered pretty good. Sometimes the attending physician recommends "Relip" as a replacement. By the way, in these preparations the same active substance. But do not pick up analogues on your own, as there is always a risk of harming your own body.
How much is the medicine?
For many patients, an important point is the cost of a particular medicine. Of course, it’s difficult to name the exact cost, since it depends on many factors, including the city of residence, the pharmacy you use, the manufacturer, etc. However, on average, the price of a bottle varies from 250 to 350 rubles, which, you see, is not so much, especially when compared with other sedative drugs.
Reviews of doctors and patients about the drug
It's no secret that the opinion of patients who have already tested a particular drug on themselves can contain a lot of valuable information. So what do they say about the drug Valocordin-Doxylamine? The reviews are mostly positive. First of all, experts note the effect, which is really noticeable. In certain doses, the drug stops the development of an allergic reaction, and also has a sedative effect. The drug really helps to cope with insomnia and some other problems.
Some patients who use the medicine as an antihistamine complain of drowsiness, but that’s how it works. An advantage is that the drug is released in the form of drops, which allows you to freely adjust the dosage. Another plus is the relatively low cost, since the same analogues mentioned above are more expensive.