Valerian tablets: indications for use

pharmachologic effect

The drug is of plant origin. Wikipedia indicates that valerian officinalis is a herbaceous, perennial plant.

Its other name is cat grass , since it is well known how valerian affects cats. Cat grass, as valerian is sometimes called differently, causes a pronounced arousal reaction in felines.

The characteristics of the plant can be seen in the photo of valerian officinalis.

Valerian extract has a moderate sedative effect on the body. This effect is noted due to the presence in its composition of essential oil, the main content of which is an ester of isovaleric acid and borneol.

valerine and hotenin also have a sedative effect . As a result, a slow but stable sedative effect is observed.

Under the influence of the drug, inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex are enhanced. The synthesis and secretion of GABA at the synapses of cortical neurons also increases. This effect occurs only in the case of the total effect of substances that are part of valerian.

The extract helps facilitate the onset of natural sleep. Valeric acid and valepotriates have a weak antispasmodic effect. Also, the active substances of valerian provide a choleretic effect, activates the secretory activity of the gastrointestinal mucosa, slows the heart rate and dilates the coronary vessels.

The therapeutic effect is observed if treatment is carried out systematically and over a long period of time.

Valerian extract, due to the presence of actinidin , has an unusual effect on felines.

Answering the question why cats love valerian, experts note that the smell of actinidin is reminiscent of the smell of certain substances contained in the urine of cats.

How does valerian help?

Before starting treatment for insomnia, excitability, irritability and fears, many would like to know what results the use of valerian extract brings. Some believe that it has no visible effect. This opinion is due to the fact that the active components of a natural product have a slow and gentle effect on the body. But the effect of the drug clearly has a healing effect on the nervous system thanks to plant essential oils.

The natural sedative is not a tranquilizer and does not produce an immediate soporific effect when taken once, when you can only feel a slight relaxation in your condition. The natural sedative helps to gradually calm down, and although it does not have a strong effect, it is stable if the drug is taken regularly for 2-4 weeks.

The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the active substances of the plant, which accumulate in the body. Due to its low effectiveness, the drug is not used for mental disorders, complex diseases and to eliminate the symptoms of a panic attack. However, the medicine is suitable as an additional component of complex therapy.

By taking the herbal extract in tablets or drops, you can avoid many stressful situations, especially if you take it in advance, for example, before exams, a wedding or a trial. But in case of hysteria, you should not expect an immediate effect from the remedy. But valerian perfectly fights insomnia, gradually eliminating it.

Indications for use

The use of valerian tablets is indicated in the following cases:

• high degree of nervous excitement;
• insomnia and problems falling asleep;
• migraine;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• functional disorders of the cardiovascular system (as part of complex treatment);
• spasms of the gastrointestinal tract (as part of complex treatment).

Before taking valerian tablets for blood pressure or stress (before an exam, etc.), you must consult a doctor who will tell you how to take the tablets, how much to drink, and whether you should do it.

Specific indications for different valerian preparations

Valerian is produced in the form of tablets and alcohol tincture. It is also often added to homeopathic remedies, complex preparations and sedative herbal preparations based on various medicinal components. In this regard, drugs may have different indications for use and contraindications.

Valerian tincture and tablets have almost the same properties. Tincture is a more traditional remedy, known for a very long time, so some patients prefer to drink it.

Due to the presence of alcohol in the composition, valerian tincture is contraindicated in more cases than tablets.

The tincture is contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, as well as for women during pregnancy and lactation. These groups of patients are sometimes prescribed glycine, which also has a mild sedative effect. Teenagers can be given the tincture in adult dosages, but pediatricians more often prescribe tablets.

Valerian tablets are used when long-term treatment is necessary. They are easier to take and safer than tinctures. When using the latter, it is important to strictly follow the dosage, and you can easily make a mistake in counting the drops.

In general, tablets with valerian are more preferable, and the tincture remains popular mainly due to tradition - previously it was only possible to prepare it at home, and therefore all folk recipes are designed only for taking the tincture.

When choosing a valerian drug, you need to take into account the dosage and composition. For example, there are drugs in dosages from 20 mg to 200 mg; accordingly, the rules for their use differ significantly. They also produce homeopathic remedies, the effectiveness of which, according to scientific data, is equal to the placebo effect. Valerianahel is such a drug. It is used for minor emotional arousal, and for diseases of the cardiovascular system it is not used at all. However, in these cases, Valerian extra may be prescribed, which also contains motherwort, which provides a more pronounced effect of the drug on the heart.

You should also take into account that some valerian-based preparations are dietary supplements and not medicines. They are used mainly for prevention, but not treatment. This group includes the dietary supplement “Evening Dragee”, which also contains mint and hops. Dragees are drunk mainly before bed, which is why the dietary supplement is called night valerian, and because of the color of the tablet shell, it is called green.

Valerian preparations are most often prescribed for emotional tension, stress and sleep problems, and less often for hypertension and other diseases. When to take the drug and when not, the doctor must decide. It must be borne in mind that even if there are indications, it is undesirable to take valerian on your own. In some cases, it may not be effective enough, resulting in the disease developing more severely due to lack of optimal treatment. Also, valerian preparations have quite specific contraindications that can be ignored, which will lead to serious consequences.

Interesting video: traditional use of valerian in folk medicine

Contraindications

Before you start taking this remedy, you should know its medicinal properties and contraindications. You should not take the drug if you have the following conditions and diseases:

• high sensitivity to the components of the drug;
• fructose intolerance;
• lactase deficiency;
• sucrase/isomaltase deficiency;
• glucose-galactose malabsorption;
• first trimester of pregnancy ;
• age up to 3 years.

Pregnant women should take into account the beneficial properties and contraindications and consult a doctor.

Prescription of valerian for other diseases

Valerian provides mild choleretic and antispasmodic effects.

It is also useful to read: Side effects of valerian and contraindications to its use

Due to this, it is used in complex treatment:

• Some pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Gallbladder and bile ducts;
• Antispasmodic pain;
• Spastic conditions of smooth muscle organs.

Sometimes valerian is recommended to be used for hypertonicity of the uterus to weaken it. In traditional medicine, the drug is practically not used for this purpose, since it is not recommended during pregnancy due to a lack of information about its effectiveness and safety. If a pregnant woman has increased uterine tone, gynecologists most often prescribe other special remedies that relieve it.

Side effects

During treatment, the following side effects of the tablets may occur:

• lethargy;
• drowsiness and decreased performance;
• muscle weakness;
• constipation (if long-term use is practiced).

Sometimes side effects may develop in the form of allergic reactions .

Side effects and contraindications

A herbal drug can bring many benefits to humans, but it has a number of contraindications. Contraindications:

• early stages of pregnancy;
• age under three years;
• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• food intolerance to glucose and galactose;

• lack of lactase or isomaltose in the body.

This product is not recommended for drivers behind the wheel. The drug is especially dangerous to take with alcohol. Elderly people over 70 years old should not get carried away with the drug.

Sometimes valerian tablets can cause the following side symptoms:

• nausea, heartburn;
• arrhythmia;
• insomnia, anxiety;
• lethargy, drowsiness, lethargy;
• constipation;
• decreased performance;

• muscle weakness;
• allergic reactions.

If you neglect the recommendations of doctors, then such a safe medication can lead to fainting, numbness or increased activity.

Valerian extract, instructions for use of tablets (Method and dosage)

The instructions for valerian tablets include taking 1-2 tablets three times a day immediately after meals. If necessary, the dose can be increased, but only under the supervision of a specialist. Treatment should last from 2 to 4 weeks.

The instructions for using valerian tablets provide for repeated courses of therapy if necessary. The dose should not be adjusted for people who have impaired liver or kidney function.

How to take other types of medicine (Bulgarian valerian, brown valerian, etc.) should be checked with the doctor who prescribes the treatment.

The doctor prescribing the treatment regimen should tell you how to take valerian tablets for a certain disease.

Features of taking valerian for cardiovascular diseases

Valerian acts on the central nervous system, due to which it indirectly affects the cardiovascular system. In particular, it affects the functioning of the heart and helps normalize heart rate. Valerian also promotes vasodilation, which, with long-term treatment, provides a small but stable hypotensive effect. In addition, some components of valerian directly affect the coronary vessels and help normalize coronary circulation.

Instructions for use of valerian tablets.

In the instructions for use of valerian you can see that the list of indications includes mild functional diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Medicine is prescribed for:

• Hypertension;
• Arrhythmias;
• Extrasystoles;
• Sinus tachycardia;
• Heart neurosis and some other diseases.

In the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, valerian is used only in combination with other drugs. Due to its weak therapeutic effect, it is not considered as a primary drug. Valerian is often used to reduce anxiety and nervous excitement, which may be one of the reasons provoking functional disorders in the heart.

On a note

In folk medicine, a remedy based on valerian, dill and honey is often recommended for the treatment of heart disease. Its effectiveness has not been proven in any way, and its use without diagnostics, correct diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment may not be useful, but, on the contrary, very dangerous.

For cardiovascular diseases, valerian is used as part of a treatment complex and is prescribed for 2 weeks or a month. Sometimes the medicine is used intermittently for a longer period of time.

A course of treatment with valerian provides a stable hypotensive effect and prevents sudden changes in heart rate. In a study conducted in 2002 by scientist M. Cropley, it was found that after 30 days of taking valerian, the experiment participants' blood pressure and heart rate in a stressful situation remained within normal limits, unlike participants in the control group.

However, in emergency situations, valerian is practically ineffective. It does not provide a rapid reduction in blood pressure or normalization of pulse. If you experience rapid heartbeat, pain in the heart, or a feeling as if there is something pressing behind the breastbone, you should definitely seek medical help, because such a condition can be life-threatening. After making a diagnosis, to relieve such symptoms, the doctor may advise taking Corvalol, Validol or other fast-acting drugs. These same symptoms may indicate very serious diseases that require long-term complex therapy.

On a note

It is believed that valerian tincture has a faster effect than tablets. To some extent this is true. Drops that are diluted in a small amount of water before use are absorbed faster by the body due to the small amount of alcohol they contain. At the same time, the effectiveness of the drug does not become higher and in emergency cases, when the heart hurts or the blood pressure has increased greatly, it is not advisable to use it.

Overdose of Valerian

The consequences of an overdose of valerian tablets are the manifestation of drowsiness , muscle weakness , lethargy and other signs of depression of the central nervous system.

bradycardia and arrhythmia may occur . As a rule, such symptoms appear when taking large doses of the medicine (doses 20 times or more higher than usual).

However, how many tablets cause such phenomena is individual for each person. The instructions do not indicate a lethal dose of the drug. Whether you can die after a severe overdose depends on the person’s health.

In case of overdose, the drug should be immediately discontinued, gastrointestinal lavage should be performed, the patient should be given activated carbon , as well as Magnesium sulfate to prevent intestinal absorption of substances and cause a laxative effect. There is no specific antidote.

special instructions

You should clearly read the instructions before taking the product in order to compare the benefits and harms of taking the product in each specific case.

If the tablets are used over a long period of time, the effect on a person may lead to a decrease in psychomotor reactions. How long it takes for the drug to act in this way depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

When taking the medicine, you should take into account how valerian acts on a person, so you need to carefully drive vehicles, as well as perform other actions that require accurate reactions.

Another name for the plant is cat grass, as it is called because valerian causes a specific effect on animals. Many people are interested in whether valerian is harmful for cats.

You can find out why cats like this medicine by studying its composition. actinidin in its composition .

As a rule, cats behave in a special way after valerian. But, answering the question whether it is possible to give a dog or whether it is possible to give a cat valerian, it should be noted that sometimes veterinarians even prescribe this drug to cats in small doses in order to increase vitality.

Unlike people, cats are not sedated by this remedy. There have been cases where an overdose led to the death of an animal. Sometimes the lethal dose for a cat is a relatively small amount of the drug, so it is advisable not to keep the tablets in places where animals have access.

If valerian is given in tablets to dogs, the product can provoke allergic reactions in the animal.

Analogs

Level 4 ATC code matches:
Alora

Motherwort extract

Novo-Passit

Cardiovalen

Liked

Carmolis

Valerian tincture

Lotusonic

Relaxil

Persen Forte

Persen

Phytosed

Sedavit

Motherwort Forte Evalar

Dormiplant

Sondox

Sedafiton

Peony tincture

Menovalen

Bromcamphor

Pharmacies sell a wide variety of valerian-based medications. In particular, these are: Valerian P , Himalayan valerian , Bulgarian valerian , etc. There are also a number of drugs with similar indications.

Which is better: Valerian or Motherwort?

When answering the question of which is better - valerian or motherwort, it should be taken into account that the effect of motherwort on the human body is almost the same. However, in the treatment of neuroses and cardiovascular diseases, a more pronounced effect is observed when taking motherwort.

Those who are interested in whether this remedy increases or decreases blood pressure should take into account that when taking motherwort, blood pressure levels decrease.

When is the remedy used in folk medicine?

Valerian has been used in folk medicine for many centuries. It treats a variety of diseases, for example:

• Headache;
• Migraine;
• Convulsions;
• Menstrual pain;
• Symptoms of menopause;
• Hypertonicity of the uterus;
• Gastritis with high or low acidity;
• Eye diseases;
• Skin diseases;
• Thyroid diseases;
• Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and other diseases.

X-ray of a child's chest with bronchitis, when traditional healers often prescribe valerian.

Valerian is also used when you want to lose weight. Some sources say that it affects the center of digestion and reduces hunger. Valerian is also sometimes drunk when menstruation is late. Believes that due to its mild antispasmodic effect, it accelerates the onset of menstruation. However, according to reviews, chamomile helps better in this situation, as it has an anticoagulant effect and increases bleeding.

At home, an infusion or decoction is made from the rhizomes and roots of valerian. They are used for indoor and outdoor use. For example, for skin diseases, lotions and compresses are made from the decoction, and for diseases of the respiratory system, inhalations are made. Sometimes valerian is simply sniffed, as it is believed that this also provides a certain healing effect.

In traditional medicine, such use of valerian is not practiced. The effect of valerian on the body and its effectiveness have been studied in numerous studies, but the feasibility of its use has not been proven for the above diseases.

Valerian extract during pregnancy and lactation

Whether pregnant women can take valerian preparations depends on the period of future pregnancy. Valerian tablets are prohibited during pregnancy if the 1st trimester has passed. For pregnant women in later stages (2nd trimester, 3rd trimester), the drug is approved according to strict indications.

As a rule, valerian during pregnancy is prescribed as a relatively safe sedative, since sudden changes in hormonal levels provoke a state of emotional instability in the expectant mother. During pregnancy, valerian can effectively relieve tension.

However, it should be noted that valerian tablets during pregnancy should be taken strictly in the dosage prescribed by the doctor, since an overdose can negatively affect the developing fetus. The question of whether valerian can be taken by pregnant women should initially be discussed individually with a gynecologist.

Valerian can be used during breastfeeding only after the doctor has approved the use of this drug. It should be borne in mind that during breastfeeding, medications pass into breast milk, so the prescribed dosage must be strictly observed.

It is also important to know that when breastfeeding, a woman or baby may experience allergic reactions as a result of taking the drug, and sleep disturbances may occur in the baby. Therefore, when breastfeeding, you can practice taking the extract only according to indications and after prescription.

Drug interactions

Valerian plant extract can enhance the effect of other relaxants to improve sleep, antispasmodics and antihistamines. It is better to stop taking them during treatment.

Before you start taking a medicine of natural origin, you should inform the specialist about all medications that the patient is taking in parallel. While taking the drug, you should refrain from drinking energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, coffee or tea, as they eliminate the effect of the natural sedative.

Exceeding the dose

The dosage depends on the weight of the patient and his condition. Exceeding the dose can cause unpredictable consequences and reactions of the body. The patient may become active, aggressive, or torpid. Nausea, vomiting, and slow heart rate may occur.

Taking 0.5 liters of thick valerian extract tincture can be fatal. If signs of overdose are evident, you should stop taking the drug, rinse your stomach, and give magnesium sulfate and enterosorbent.

Reviews

Reviews of valerian tablets, as a rule, indicate that users consider this drug relatively “safe” and very often take it independently, without prescription. As a rule, valerian extract in tablets has a beneficial effect, helping to overcome insomnia, irritability, and survive stressful situations.

Often patients do not know how many tablets to take and exceed the usual dosage. At the same time, drowsiness and lethargy are noted. Whether valerian extract helps calm people often depends on the person's circumstances and condition.

Doctors in the reviews note that before taking it, it is still advisable to consult a doctor, who needs to ask questions about why valerian extract is prescribed, whether a nursing mother can drink this medicine, how much to drink to calm down, why valerian works this way, etc.

Price, where to buy

How much this drug costs depends on the number of tablets in the package.

The price of valerian tablets is from 70 rubles for 50 pcs.

• Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
• Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
• Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan

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