The modern pharmacological market offers a huge amount 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 eliminates some problems. So what is this remedy? What properties does it have and can it cause complications? What do doctors and patients who have already tried the drug think? Many readers are looking for answers to these questions.
Drug "Valocordin-Doxylamine": composition and form of release
This medicine is available in pharmacies in the form of oral drops. The drug is a clear, almost colorless solution with a mild, pleasant mint odor. Vials contain 25 ml solution.
The main active ingredient of the drug is doxylamine succinate. 100 ml of solution contains 2.5 gthis component. Naturally, some additional substances are also 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 H1 receptor antagonist, weakening the effects of endogenous histamine, which is inevitably 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, a calming effect on the central nervous system.
After taking the drops, the active substance is quickly absorbed by the digestive system. The first effect appears after 30 minutes. The maximum concentration in the patient's blood is observed after 2-2.5 hours after ingestion. The medicine acts from 3 to 6 hours. The metabolism of doxylamine is carried out mostly in the liver. Almost 60% of the dose is excreted in the urine. The half-life ranges from 10 to 12 hours.
Main indications for taking the drug
In what cases is it appropriate to take the drug "Valocardin-Doxilami"? The instruction says that there are several main indications:
- Most often, the drug is prescribed for various sleep disorders, insomnia, however, if we are talking about not too severe cases.
- There is another problem that usesdrug "Valocordin-doxylamine". It helps with allergic reactions that are accompanied by skin irritations, rashes and itching, swelling of the mucous membranes, etc.
- Often, drops are included in the complex therapy regimen, for example, for colds, coughs, etc. In this case, the drug, again, acts as an antihistamine, while calming the nervous system, promoting rest and a speedy recovery.
Drug "Valocordin-Doxylamine": instructions for use and dosage
It's worth saying right away that the instructions are 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 the medicine with a glass of water. If we are talking about insomnia, then it is recommended to drink Kali 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. It is strictly forbidden to exceed the maximum.
The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor. For some patients, it is enough to take drops occasionally, in the event that problems with sleep worsen. Others are shown full-fledged therapy. You can take drops in the original amount for no longer than two days - after that, the dose should be gradually reduced until the drug is completely discontinued.
Are there any contraindications to therapy?
Can all patients 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 constituent components of the drug.
- General allergy to antihistamines.
- Acute asthma attack.
- Pheochromocytoma.
- Angle-closure glaucoma.
- Various chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, including bronchial asthma, are also a contraindication, since the drops contain peppermint oil, which can provoke a coughing / choking attack.
- Doxylamine-Valocordin is contraindicated in certain heart rhythm disorders.
- Don't take medicine for epilepsy.
- The drug is not recommended to be taken concomitantly with treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, as 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 limit, in particular, it is not assigned to children under the age of six.
Description of possible side effects and complications
Is there a risk of complications during 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 ruled out, and therefore it is useful to familiarize yourself with possible disorders:
- Nervous system problems such as headaches, dizziness and, very rarely, cerebral cramps.
- Sometimes there are disturbances in the functioning of the senses, including tinnitus, increased intraocular pressure, disturbance of accommodation and, accordingly, a decrease in the clarity of vision.
- 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, sometimes decompensated heart failure develops.
- At the background of therapy, there may be a thickening of the secret secreted by the tissues of the respiratory tract. Bronchospasm and bronchial obstruction develop less frequently.
- Side effects include nausea, constipation and diarrhea, as well as pain in the stomach, increased appetite, dry mouth. Paralytic ileus is extremely rare.
- Allergic reactions occur when the body is hypersensitive to the components of the drug.
- Other possible adverse reactions include cholestatic jaundice, muscle weakness, urination problems (rare), weakness, fatigue, nasal congestion.
- Prolonged use of a drug can lead to the development of tolerance, in which the body losesdrug sensitivity.
It should also be said that side effects are much more common in older patients. They may even lose consciousness while taking drops. However, the correct dosage of the drug minimizes the risk of complications.
Interaction with other drugs
This medicine may interact with certain medications, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking at the time of your consultation. First of all, it must be said that Valocordin-Doxylamin should not be used against the background of therapy with drugs that depress 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, it is possible to increase the enzymatic activity of cytochromes in the liver. The concomitant 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 ileus. When taken simultaneously with photosensitizing agents, hypersensitivity to light may develop. It is strictly contraindicated while taking dropsuse "Epinephrine" (adrenaline) as this can lead to severe blood pressure fluctuations.
Can children and pregnant women use drops?
Immediately it should be said that the sleeping pill "Valocordin-Doxylamine" should not be taken by children under the age of 15 years. On the other hand, in smaller doses, the drug is prescribed to children over 6 years of age, as an antihistamine. As for the period of pregnancy, at this time the 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 dosages. But for nursing mothers, the drug "Doxylamine-Valocordin" cannot be used, since the active ingredients penetrate into breast milk and can harm the newborn. If therapy is necessary, the baby should be stopped feeding during this time.
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 mint or another ingredient. So is it possible to replace the drug "Valocordin-Doxylamine" with something? Analogues of the drug exist, and the modern market offers a lot of them. For example, Donormil tablets are considered quite good. Sometimes the attending physician recommends "Relip" as a replacement. By the way, in these preparations the same active substance. But you should not select analogues on your own, as there is always a risk of harmown body.
How much does the drug cost?
For many patients, the cost of a drug is an important consideration. Of course, it is difficult to name the exact cost, since it depends on many factors, including the city of residence, the pharmacy whose services you use, the manufacturer, etc. Nevertheless, on average, the price of a bottle ranges 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 tried this or that 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 drug as an antihistamine complain of drowsiness, but that's how it works. The 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.
