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Does dramamine help anxiety


Dramamine For Anxiety - is Dimenhydrinate Good For Anxiety?

Last Updated: March 30, 2023

Dramamine, generic name Dimenhydrinate, is an over-the-counter antihistamine drug primarily used to treat motion sickness and nausea. Lately, it has become clear that the motion sickness drug can also provide relaxation benefits. This combination of helping with nausea as well as decreasing anxiety symptoms has proven to be a very useful pairing for many. We look at how dramamine works for anxiety, what the side-effects and dosages are, and a few natural alternatives.

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Anxiety, whether it is performance anxiety or social anxiety or any similar anxiety-related issues, has the potential to negatively affect your life, career and relationships. Not kept under control, anxiety can make living a fulfilled, happy life much more difficult than it needs to be.

These types of anxiety are not new. Many accomplished performers and artists still experience stage fright every time they get on the stage or in front of a camera, including popular stars like Adele, Taylor Swift & Shawn Mendes. The list of people suffering in private from bouts of anxiety related to conference calls, meetings, interviews, social gatherings and dates, is extremely long.

Many people choose to self-medicate their anxiety using drugs like Dramamine, generic name Dimenhydrinate and sold under the name Gravol in Canada. Dramamine is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine drug primarily used to treat motion sickness and nausea [1]. More recently, it has become clear that the motion sickness drug provides relaxation benefits, as well. This combination of helping with nausea as well as decreasing anxiety has proven to be a very effective solution to many peoples anxiety issues.

In this article, we’ll look into how Dramamine works to treat the symptoms of anxiety, and its effectiveness at doing so. We’ll also touch on Dramamine dosages for anxiety, known side-effects or interactions that you should know about, and whether there are viable alternatives to Dramamine available for anxiety and how they match up.

Dramamine for Anxiety Key Takeaways

Without completely spoiling the rest of this article, here are the most interesting & useful takeways about Dramamine for Anxiety:

  • Dramamine, generic name Dimenhydrinate, is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine drug used to treat motion sickness and nausea. Dramamine is an h2 receptor antagonist, meaning that it's an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body.
  • Dramamine works by reducing the natural chemical histamine effects of the body. Dramamine is a combination of two other drugs - Diphenhydramine and 8-chlorotheophylline (8-CTP). Diphenydramine is the antihistamine agent and 8-CTP blocks sedation, which is a main side effect of diphenhydramine. That's why you can take dramamine for anxiety purposes without the downside of feeling sleepy.

What is Dramamine?

Dramamine is a brand name for the drug dimenhydrinate. It is an over-the-counter antihistamine that is typically used for relief from nausea and vomiting. Dimenhydrinate is commonly used for those who are sensitive to motion sickness during travel, such as those who become ill from travel in planes or cars. Products containing dimenhydrinate are also used as sleep aids in other over-the-counter medications [2].

Dramamine is available in a tablet, liquid, or chewable tablet form. It is an h2 receptor antagonist, meaning that dramamine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body [3].

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How does Dramamine work for anxiety?

Dramamine works by reducing the natural chemical histamine effects of the body, as it is an antihistamine. But unlike many antihistamines, Dramamine is not used for allergies. Instead, it is more often used for nausea. Dramamine blocks the histamine 1 (h2) receptor, which is present in great quantities throughout the brain [5].

Dramamine itself is not a single drug. Instead, it is a combination of two other drugs, which each make up around half of a dramamine/dimenhydrinate dose. Those drugs are [5]:

  • Diphenhydramine: This antihistamine is best known as being the main ingredient in Benadryl. Similarly, it is also the active ingredient in dramamine.
  • 8-chlorotheophylline (8-CTP): This drug is not an antihistamine and has no direct effect on nausea or motion sickness. Instead, it helps to block sedation (it is is closely related to caffeine in both its chemical structure and effects [6]), one of the main side effects of diphenhydramine. Therefore, people can take dramamine without feeling as sleepy as they might while taking diphenhydramine by itself or other h2 receptor blockers.

So 8-chlorotheophylline is essentially acting as a wakefulness agent to counter the side-effects of the main active ingredient: diphenhydramine. In several trial studies (with mice and rats), diphenhydramine has been shown to sometimes have an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect [7].

It appears that most of this anxiolytic effect comes from diphenhydramine’s effect on the central h2 (histamine) receptors. This happens through what is called an inverse agonism. Histamine is blocked, and an opposite effect also occurs (the inverse agonism).

This process accounts for diphenhydramine’s primary, but not sole, link to anxiolytic properties. The way in which diphenhydramine interacts with M1 receptors, norepinephrine transporters (NETs), alpha-1 receptors, serotonin transporters (SERT), and more in the brain can help.

Additionally, if sleep problems are causing anxiety, diphenhydramine’s/dramamine’s positive effect on those problems may reduce anxiety too [7].

Dramamine Side-Effects & Downsides

Dramamine is generally considered safe when used as directed, but it is not completely without risks. Side effects of Dramamine have been shown to include [2]:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased mucus

Abuse of dramamine has been reported, and often involves ingestion of high doses to induce psychotropic effects, including hallucinations and euphoria. Psychiatric patients may also abuse dramamine to achieve an extreme anti-anxiety effect.

There appears to be a potential for the development of physical dependence on the drug in individuals who chronically abuse it, although there are only a few cases reported in the literature of physical dependence on the drug. The anti-anxiety effects of taking large doses of dimenhydrinate/dramamine make it an attractive drug of abuse for people who are diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and even schizophrenia [4].

Recommended Dramamine Dosage for Anxiety

Before taking dramamine, make sure that you follow all the instructions given on the product package. Take the medication according to your doctors directions. If you have any concerns, or doubts regarding the usage of this drug, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

After taking dramamine, the drug is absorbed and reaches its max level in the system in about two-and-a-half hours. Its half-life, or the time it takes for half of the drug to leave your body, ranges from one to four hours.

Dramamine dosage is typically determined by your age, health condition, and response to the treatment by a healthcare professional. Recommended dramamine dosage for nausea and motion sickness for adults and children 12 years and over is 1 to 2 tablets every 4-6 hours. Maximum daily dosage for dramamine is no more than 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor/healthcare professional. Similar recommended dosages (daily and maximum) are said to work when using dramamine for anxiety, as well.

Dramamine Alternatives for Anxiety

If you’re not too excited about using dramamine for your anxiety symptoms, perhaps because it didn’t work too effectively for you or because you experienced side-effects, you may be wondering if there are natural alternatives to dramamine for anxiety?

A natural alternative would achieve the same (or, hopefully, better) end-result, which is to provide relief from symptoms of anxiety. A really good alternative to dramamine would provide anxiety relief by supporting your mind and body in a way that, over time, makes you more resilient. You should become better equipped to handle any stress responses that come your way and learn to think about anxious situations in a way that makes them less stressful, in the first place.

The most effective natural anxiety (particularly stage fright/performance anxiety) remedy is PerformZen. PerformZen has proven extremely effective at treating performance anxiety as it contains a combination of GABA & L-theanine, which help boost mental clarity; Theacrine, which aids mental clarity and energy; Ginkgo Biloba, which is an effective stress reducer; plus vitamins and minerals like Magnesium & Vitamin B6, which have proven effective in reducing even severe cases of stress.

This combination provides the positive anti-anxiety effects of drugs like dramamine, but also boosts alertness and mental clarity, which are more subtle symptoms of performance anxiety that dramamine does not address. Overall, this may mean a natural solution such as PerformZen is not only safer, but more effective than dramamine for performance anxiety!

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Is Dramamine the best solution for Anxiety symptoms?

Dramamine may be a decent emergency fix for acute anxiety, but in our opinion it is better served as a solution for nausea, motion sickness and even flight anxiety symptoms. With extended use, dramamine can have some worrying and scary side-effects, causing you more problems than you started with. No quick fix is worth the possibility of creating more issues.

Anxiety is overwhelming, and finding a way to feel better may seem impossible. The best thing you can do for yourself is to speak to a medical professional who knows your case and history and seek proper advice for your exact situation. We do have some excellent content about natural (and scientific) solutions to anxiety on the blog and some alternatives like Silexan, and if you are looking for a quick solution to your performance anxiety issues, take a look at PerformZen. https://serenityatsummit.com/diphenhydramine/for-anxiety/

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Eric is a performance expert and a member of the PerformZen team since it was founded. Eric has battled anxiety his entire life and he is passionate about helping people gain control over the things that they fear most, with anxiety being at the top of that list for many!

Does Dramamine Help With Anxiety? - Anxiety FAQs

Does Dramamine Help With Anxiety? - Anxiety FAQs | XanFree

Aug 21, 2020 Posted by: XanFree Nutrition Possible Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety disorders can drive people to try to self-medicate with many things. These attempts may be beneficial in the short-term, but it could be a grave mistake in the long run. People commonly self-medicate with Dramamine, but does Dramamine actually help with anxiety?

One of these commonly abused medications is Dramamine. The motion sickness drug provides relaxation benefits as well. Some people find the quick work it does to not only relieve nausea but calm the nerves. This relief may even be enough for them, not to mention their anxiety symptoms to their doctor.

Anxiety relief on your terms may lead to unintentional complications down the line. As with any medication, supplement, or diet, it is critical to mention changes you would like to make to your doctor. You will never know what kind of adverse interactions self-treatment may have if you fail to let your doctor know.

What is Dramamine?

When you use it as directed, Dramamine, or Dimenhydrinate, is perfectly safe. This antihistamine relieves nausea and vomiting, especially from motion sickness. It is best for those who have the sensitivity to boat, plane, train, or car travel movements.

An allergy to Dramamine can result in swelling of the mouth, a rash, chest tightening, hives, or difficulty breathing. Also, when taken with alcohol, the risk of adverse side effects increases exponentially. These reactions are only part of the reason why it is so crucial to inform your doctor.

Side Effects
  • Increase of mucus
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Tremors
  • Agitation
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Chest pain
  • Convulsions
  • Coma
  • Hallucinations
  • Over-sedation
  • Elevated heartbeat

Overdosing on Dramamine is entirely possible. Some of the more severe side effects listed above link directly to excessive amounts of this drug. If you use it regularly in these high dosages, your liver, heart, kidneys, and stomach can all suffer serious ailments.

Addictive Anxiety Remedies

Dramamine is known to provide some relief for anxiety, but there are some risks. Just like with benzodiazepines such as Xanax, there is a possibility of developing dependence. This addictive property is why your doctor will only recommend these drugs for short-term or emergency use for anxiety symptoms.

When you have anxiety, it is sometimes easier to depend on fast-acting relief than other treatments to kick in. However, that is not always good for you in the long run. If you do nothing else to combat your anxiety, you may never manage it effectively.

An adverse reaction with other medications you may take is another reason to avoid self-medication, especially with addictive drugs. It is essential to speak with your doctor before the side effects get out of hand. They will know how to help with both anxiety and possible addictions.

Use with Caution
  • Benzodiazepines
  • While this may be the best treatment for some, there are risks associated with Benzos. Any past struggles with addiction or genetic factors may need consideration.
  • 4-6 months of using benzodiazepines consistently may cause these medications to lose their effects. This decline can lead to an increase in use to achieve the same impact.
  • Withdrawal symptoms may occur when stopping this treatment.
  • Dimenhydrinate
    • When taken at specific dosages, this drug may produce a hallucinogenic effect that can make it desirable for those chasing a high. This effect only makes it even more attractive to those trying to escape.
    • Others misuse Dramamine to self-medicate their anxiety, which is equally dangerous.

If you experience withdrawal or suspect an addiction, speak with your doctor. Depending on your case, they may suggest addiction treatment to deal with your dependence. Therapy and lifestyle changes will also help your anxiety problems.

Addiction Treatment
  • Detox
  • If necessary, your doctor may require the medical supervision of a detox. Factors that affect this decision include how long the drug abuse lasted and the addition of other substances.
  • Do not stop taking anything on your own. Your doctor may have a plan for you to wean yourself off the addictive drugs gradually.
  • Therapy
    • Family, group, or individual therapy is beneficial for getting to the source of the problem. Treatment allows you to build a sensible recovery plan.
  • Lifestyle Changes
    • With the absence of a drug for escape, changing the way you live, your life is essential. Things may not get better if you do not address the reasons you feel stuck or anxious. Finding a healthy outlet for your frustrations is integral to your recovery.

Best Treatments for Anxiety

Finding relief from anxiety is not impossible. You may need to talk to your doctor, but it is worth it. The last thing you want to do is put your body at risk by trying to fix it yourself.

There is no actual 'cure' for anxiety. Addressing underlying conditions can help make it go away, but by itself, all you can do is manage it. Your doctor can help you create a recovery plan best for you.

Anxiety Treatment
  • Medication
  • Therapy
  • Mindfulness

Regardless of what treatment you and your doctor decide on, these are better ways to feel better. Any medication should go through your doctor first, but making changes to your lifestyle is easy to start at any time. All you need is a little motivation, which can be hard with anxiety, but not impossible.

Conclusion

Dramamine may be a decent emergency fix for acute anxiety. Still, it should not take the place of talking to a doctor about your symptoms. With extended use, it can wreak havoc on your body and cause more problems than you started with. No quick fix is worth the possibility of creating more issues.

Anxiety is overwhelming, and finding a way to feel better may seem impossible. The best thing you can do for yourself is to bring it up with a professional who knows your case and history. If you neglect to treat an anxiety disorder or its underlying causes, your body may damage itself in an attempt to combat the stress on its own.

References:
  1. https://americanaddictioncenters. org/over-the-counter-medications/dimenhydrinate#:~:text=Some%20people%20have%20misused%20Dramamine,who%20suffer%20from%20anxiety%20disorders.
  2. https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/which-anti-anxiety-medication-is-right-for-me/
  3. https://getremrise.com/blogs/rise-well/why-you-shouldnt-take-dramamine-for-sleep
  4. https://www.psycom.net/anxiety-medications/
  5. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-medication.htm
  6. https://www.continuumrecoverycenter.com/blog/anti-anxiety-medications-addictiv

Does Ginger Help with Anxiety? Dec 22, 2020

How to cope with aerophobia and enjoy the flight

Photo: Interfax

Fear can arise both before the first flight and after a psychological trauma associated with a previous flight. I became afraid of flying after I had to go to the shooting with paratroopers on an old military transport Il-76. And although the flight was normal and calm, the release of paratroopers from open hatches at high altitude made such a strong impression that there was an alarm before ordinary, civilian flights. Since you need to fly a lot, I had to find several recipes that help to cope with fear.

Arrive at the airport on time

If you arrive at the airport too early, there is a chance that you will start to worry and "twist" yourself before the flight. Standard two hours before the flight departure is enough to check in, go through customs and passport control. If you leave a smaller time gap, you will begin to worry that you will be late, and you will end up on board in an overwrought state.

Use Duty Free

This does not mean at all that you need to buy a bottle of vodka before the flight and immediately drink it. In addition to alcohol, you can find a lot of other things useful in the fight against fear in duty-free shops. I prefer to try perfumes or cosmetics with soft and soothing aromas before the flight. For example, roses, lilies, lilacs or lavenders. Pleasant smells always help to cope with unpleasant emotions.

Choose the right place

Everything is individual here. I like to sit in the aisle and not look out the window. I am calmer when I see other people and what is happening in the salon. However, there are plenty of those who are just more comfortable at the porthole: they look out the window and follow what is happening outside. This creates a feeling of control over the situation: the engine does not smoke, the wing does not fall off - it means that everything is fine. Moral: you need to choose the place where exactly you will feel as comfortable as possible.

Use natural sedatives

This is true. Therefore, valerian or motherwort can be safely taken with you. Take a tablet beforehand or already on the plane. Of course, the feeling of anxiety will not go away completely, but it will be easier to cope with emotions. By the way, you can ask the flight attendants for help. Many airlines always have herbal sedatives in their first aid kits.

Breathing properly

There are many breathing exercises that help you calm down. Meditation techniques teach you to breathe evenly and deeply - this allows the body to relax. However, I know people who use the technique that was taught in physical education at school: short breath, long breath. In any case, you need to try different breathing exercises at home to see which one works best during the flight.

Think of something to do

You can take work with you and immerse yourself in doing it even before takeoff. The disadvantage of this technique is that all electronic devices require to be turned off during takeoff and landing, and, as a rule, the workflow is now tied to electronics.

Talking to a fellow traveler can also help in the fight against fear. It is best to talk about abstract and pleasant topics.

Reading a book is another good activity. Checked: if the plot is really exciting, takeoff and landing go almost unnoticed. If you don't have a book, a logbook will also do - they also contain interesting and useful articles.

Photo: Interfax

Finally, a very good means of combating aerophobia is on-board monitors, which, unfortunately, are not available on all aircraft and not all airlines. One of the most exciting things to do with them is to watch the flight from a camera installed in the tail of the aircraft or near the front landing gear. In a mysterious way, the constant monitoring of the flight and the updated information about the altitude at which the aircraft is located create a feeling of absolute security.

Find an alternative or contact a specialist

My friend was so afraid of flying that she went to Paris for the first time by bus. The journey was completely uncomfortable and very long. After that, she pulled herself together and began to fly. However, if flying is terrifying and you don't need to fly frequently, it may be worth considering alternative travel options. If there is a need, and horror and panic attacks persist, you can seek the advice of a psychologist. Almost all fears can be overcome if you work with them correctly.

Why you shouldn't be afraid to fly

It's important to remember that, as trite as it sounds, according to statistics, airplanes are the safest mode of transport in the world. An airplane passenger has a one in 45 million chance of being involved in a fatal plane crash. That is, if a person made flights every day, then the probability of death would come in 123 thousand years. At the same time, the probability of dying in an accident is ten times greater, and yet almost every one of us travels by car or bus every day, which means that there is much more risk.

Photo: Interfax

The technical condition of aircraft is checked much more thoroughly and more frequently than cars, buses and trains. The pilots who fly the planes want to land safely and return home to their families just as much as we do. And turbulence, which many passengers fear, is actually not a risk factor at any intensity. The plane keeps in the air as confidently as any car on the road. It is also important that the age of the aircraft does not affect safety in any way: the main thing is how the liner is monitored. In an airplane, absolutely all systems are duplicated. A passenger plane has at least two engines. The failure of all engines at once is negligible, and in this case the plane will not fall like a stone, but will glide to the ground, which will enable the pilots to land at the nearest airport.

When air crashes do occur, you need to remember that each of them has its own reason, and often not one, but a combination of a number of circumstances. Each such case is carefully studied, and measures are taken to ensure that it does not happen again.

7 remedies for anxiety that don't work

Daniil Davydov

medical journalist

Author's profile

Many people now experience anxiety, and it can be difficult to deal with it on your own. About what ways can really help, we wrote in the article "5 tips on how to cope with anxiety in difficult times."

However, some popular medications and supplements that are marketed as anti-anxiety medications have no evidence of effectiveness.

Some of them are relatively harmless, but others have side effects and contraindications, so under certain conditions they can do more harm than good. If you are planning to purchase a medication for anxiety, we recommend that you consult with your doctor. And this list will help you make an informed decision.

Novo-Passit

What is it. Phytotherapeutic tablets or solution based on herbal extracts of valerian officinalis, lemon balm, St.

Novo-Passit - GRLS

According to the manufacturer, the drug helps with a state of constant mental stress and mild forms of insomnia.

Proof of effectiveness. Novo-Passit is not mentioned in international databases of medicines, nor is it in clinical recommendations for the treatment of any diseases.

/list/medical-evidence/

14 authoritative medical sources

Some drugs are made from chemicals derived from plants. For example, cardiac glycosides are made from digitalis purpurea. But for the manufacture of the drug, not the whole plant and not the extract from it are used, but separate, carefully purified chemicals, the concentration of which is very strictly controlled.

Products containing extracts or whole parts of one or more plants are classified as herbal medicine and are considered dietary supplements in most countries. Therefore, they are neither in international drug databases nor in clinical guidelines for the treatment of diseases.

What is Phytotherapy - MedlinePlus Medical Guide

There is no need to look for evidence of the effectiveness of dietary supplements, since by law it is just food.

All that is required of them is to be safe, that is, not to harm the health of the people who take them. Since it is not necessary to prove the effectiveness of herbal remedies, they are very poorly studied. When it comes to complex herbal remedies, research is further complicated by the fact that they do not work the way they would work separately.

/dietary-supplements/

They say expensive dietary supplements are more effective than cheap ones. Is it true?

For example, although the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, considers valerian essential oil and rhizome preparations to have a calming effect, we do not know how this plant extract will work in combination with other plant extracts.

Valerian essential oils - EMA

Valerian rhizomes - EMA

Finding out how effective a multi-herb formulation works is also difficult because different researchers study different sets of herbal extracts at different concentrations. As a result, most scientists admit that we do not yet have reliable information on how effective herbal preparations based on herbs are for anxiety.

For example, psychotherapists in Switzerland who were trying to understand whether a combination of extracts of valerian, lemon balm, passionflower and butterbur helps with anxiety disorders. They gave part of the patients these supplements and compared the effect with patients who did not receive supplements, and came to the conclusion that the supplements can reduce the dosage of the main drugs - benzodiazepines.

Effect of a combination of extracts of valerian, lemon balm, passionflower and butterbur on benzodiazepine prescribing in hospitalized patients with mental disorders - Journal of Phytotherapy

Studies of this type are called case-control studies. Even if they show that patients got better, this cannot be considered conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of the drug, since doctors knew who was receiving which drug and could unwittingly embellish the result. Patients who received supplements could also believe in their power and feel better - this is called the placebo effect.

To understand how well supplements really work, you need to study them the way you study drugs, that is, subject them to a randomized clinical trial. With this procedure, patients are randomly divided into two groups, one of which receives the drug, and the other receives exactly the same type of dummy pills, and neither doctors nor patients know which group they fell into until the end of the experiment. But there are still no such works devoted to supplements with herbal extracts for anxiety. Until they appear, nothing definite can be said about whether they work.

Another component of Novo-Passit, guaifenesin, is known mainly as a cough suppressant and expectorant. There is still no convincing evidence that guaifenesin helps with coughing - but it has quite a few side effects.

Guaifenesin - a cough remedy - drugs.com

I have not been able to find studies of guaifenesin as an anti-anxiety agent.

Contraindications and side effects. In the instructions, the manufacturer writes that Novo-Passit is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age and people with intolerance to the components of the drug - especially guaifenesin. As a rule, it is well tolerated, but some people complain of allergies, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness and gastrointestinal disorders - from vomiting and heartburn to diarrhea.

The cost of the drug depends on the number of tablets in the package and the volume of the vial A pack of 10 tablets and a 100 ml solution bottle cost about the same - 460-470 R
The cost of the drug depends on the number of tablets in the package and the volume of the vial A package of 10 tablets and a 100 ml solution bottle cost approximately the same - 460-470 R

Persen

What is it. Phytotherapeutic tablets and capsules based on the extract of rhizomes of valerian, lemon balm and mint.

Persen — GRLS

According to the manufacturer, the drug has a sedative effect.

Proof of effectiveness. Persen is not mentioned in the international databases of medicines, it is not in the clinical recommendations for the treatment of any diseases either. This is a phytotherapeutic drug similar to Novo-Passit, but with a slightly different composition. He has exactly the same problems with evidence of effectiveness.

Contraindications and side effects. According to the manufacturer, the drug should not be taken by people with hypersensitivity to its components, people with low blood pressure, diseases of the biliary tract, children under 12, pregnant and lactating women. The drug can cause allergic reactions - from rashes to edema, and with prolonged use, provoke constipation.

The cost of the drug depends on the number of tablets in the package. The price of a pack of 20 tablets is 351 R

Corvalol

What is it. Corvalol is sold in two versions:

  1. phytotherapeutic agent based on extracts of lemon balm leaves, peppermint and motherwort grass in tablets and water-based drops;
  2. phytotherapeutic agent based on extracts of lemon balm leaves, peppermint, motherwort herb, which contains phenobarbital. These are drops based on 95% alcohol.

Corvalol tablets - GRLS

Corvalol drops with phenobarbital - GRLS

According to the manufacturers, Corvalol in both versions "has a calming effect."

Proof of effectiveness. As an anxiety remedy, both versions of Corvalol, with and without phenobarbital, are not mentioned in any international drug database. In clinical recommendations for the treatment of any diseases, they are also absent.

There is no convincing evidence that any of the components of Corvalol without phenobarbital can work as a sedative. According to some studies, lemon balm tea or tincture relieves insomnia, and the smell of peppermint can reduce stress a little. But there is no evidence that in tablets or drops these components will act in the same way as in the form of tea or essential oil.

Perhaps lemon balm tea or tincture helps with insomnia - RxList

Perhaps the smell of mint can relieve stress - RxList

Why phenobarbital is dangerous - drugs. com

Corvalol with phenobarbital may indeed have a sedative effect - for account, in fact, phenobarbital. This is a very old tranquilizer, in most countries it is prescribed only as an anticonvulsant and its use is strictly controlled, since phenobarbital is addictive and has many side effects.

Contraindications and side effects. Manufacturers of Corvalol without phenobarbital warn that it has quite a few contraindications: from allergies to its components to peptic ulcer, liver or kidney diseases, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Children under 18 years of age should not take the drug.

Manufacturers of Corvalol with phenobarbital add alcoholism and traumatic brain injury to the list of contraindications. Experts from other countries warn that phenobarbital is also contraindicated in severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, i.e. COPD, porphyria, and for people with a history of drug dependence in the past. The list of side effects of phenobarbital drops includes dizziness, weakness, nausea, decreased alertness, and rash.

/list/kardiologia/

14 important questions for Anton Rodionov, a cardiologist

tablets

Motherwort preparations and supplements

What is it. Phytotherapeutic agents based on motherwort extract. According to the manufacturers, such drugs have a pronounced sedative effect - that is, they work as a strong sedative.

Preparation based on motherwort extract - GRLS

Motherwort-based supplements registered in Russia

Motherwort as a source of bioactive compounds - European Medicines Agency report medical reference book RxList

In Russia, there are both medicines and biologically active supplements based on motherwort - both in the form of liquid extracts and in capsules.

Proof of effectiveness. Motherwort preparations are not listed as anti-anxiety in any international drug database. In clinical recommendations for the treatment of any diseases, it is also absent.

Theoretically, motherwort may have a potential neurological effect. Some substances in this plant can bind to receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. This neurotransmitter is responsible for the inhibition of the nervous system, so the researchers suggested that the biologically active substances in motherwort would work in a similar way.

But when the substances in the motherwort extract that could work as sedatives were tested separately, their biological effect was very weak. Most likely, patients with anxiety would simply not feel its effects.

The effectiveness of motherwort remedies in healthy people with severe anxiety has not been tested. According to some studies, the combination of motherwort, valerian, hops, and lemon balm improves sleep in people with alcoholism who are trying to quit drinking. However, there is no conclusive evidence for this yet.

Contraindications and side effects. Motherwort preparation companies warn that some people may have allergies or digestive disorders - indigestion, that is, pain or discomfort in the stomach, and diarrhea.

Motherwort preparations and supplements are contraindicated in people taking neurological preparations based on calcium hydroxybutyrate, magnesium hydroxybutyrate, potassium hydroxybutyrate, or sodium hydroxybutyrate. Motherwort can enhance the effect of such drugs - up to severe poisoning and coma.

Motherwort is not compatible with hydroxybutyrates - Medscape Medical Guide

Some pharmaceutical companies offer motherwort extract based on 70% alcohol. According to the instructions, you need to use the drug in 30-50 drops diluted in water - the maximum content of ethyl alcohol in such a dose is 0.55 g, and in the maximum daily dose - 2.2 g.

International organizations believe that women can take no more than one standard serving of alcoholic beverages per day, and for men no more than two servings. This is 14 g of pure ethanol.

The amount of ethyl alcohol that can be obtained with the maximum dose of the drug is much less than the standard serving of alcohol. Nevertheless, people who take drugs that are incompatible with alcoholic beverages - for example, antidepressants - just in case, you should abandon the alcohol tincture of motherwort.

The cost of the drug depends on the pricing policy of the manufacturer. The cheapest package of 10 tablets can be bought for 18 R

Validol

What is it. Sublingual tablets based on levomenthol - a substance that is obtained from peppermint essential oil.

Validol - GRLS

Manufacturers claim that this drug "has a sedative effect" - that is, it works as a sedative.

Proof of effectiveness. As a remedy for anxiety, levomenthol-based drugs are not mentioned in any international drug database.

In some countries, levomenthol is approved only as an external agent for veterinary use. It is mainly used as a cough suppressant, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic drug in humans and animals.

Levomenthol — drugs.com

How levomenthol is used in medicine — PubChem chemical guide

No one has studied the effectiveness of peppermint essential oils and levomenthol preparations for anxiety in people.

Contraindications and side effects. There are few contraindications for drugs with levomenthol: mostly it is an allergy or intolerance to the components of the drug, the medicine is not suitable for children under 18 years of age. But there are side effects: nausea, watery eyes and dizziness. According to the manufacturers, the drug is incompatible with alcohol.

The cost of the drug depends on the number of tablets in the package and on the pricing policy of the manufacturer. The cheapest package of 20 tablets costs 54 R

Afobazol

What is it. A drug based on a substance that received the international name fabomotizol. In our country, "Afobazol" of immediate and delayed action is sold. In the delayed-release preparation, the concentration of the active substance is three times higher, and it is absorbed during the day.

Afobazol - GRLS

According to the manufacturers, tablets with fabomotizol reduce anxiety and stimulate the nervous system.

Proof of effectiveness. Fabomotizole is not listed as an anti-anxiety drug in any international drug database.

The effectiveness of "Afobazole" as a remedy for anxiety was studied only in Russia - the drug is not used anywhere else in the world. I could not find independent studies on the effectiveness of the active substance for anxiety.

Contraindications and side effects. Among the contraindications, the manufacturer lists only individual intolerance to the components of the drug, age under 18, pregnancy and the period of feeding a child. And among the side effects are allergies and headaches.

An immediate drug. Price: 720 R Delayed drug. As a rule, slow-acting drugs are more expensive. Price: 894 R
Immediate drug. Price: 720 Р Delayed action drug. As a rule, slow-acting drugs are more expensive. Price: 894 R

Tenoten

What is it. Lozenges based on lactose sugar. The composition of the drug intended for adults includes antibodies to the brain-specific S-protein at a concentration of 10 -15 ng / g, and the children's version - 10 -16 ng / g.

Tenoten for adults - GRLS

According to the manufacturer, it has a calming and anti-anxiety effect.

Proof of effectiveness. The concentration of the active substance makes it possible to recognize Tenoten as a homeopathic remedy, since at a concentration of 10 -15 -10 -16 ng / g, not a single antibody may appear in the tablet. But even if there were more antibodies, manufacturer-independent data that antibodies to the brain-specific S-protein reduce anxiety, no.

On the pseudoscience of homeopathy - Memorandum No. 2 of the RAS commission on combating pseudoscience

Contraindications and side effects. Although Tenoten does not actually contain an active ingredient, the manufacturer believes that its use may be harmful to people suffering from lactose intolerance and glucose-galactose malabsorption - in this rare hereditary disease, a person cannot normally absorb glucose and galactose.

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