Every heart patient or person who is often under stress has treasured tablets or drops of valerian in their arsenal. Their almost magical sedative effect saved many from a nervous breakdown or myocardial infarction. Such medicines are always available: they can be bought without a doctor's prescription and at a low price. Therefore, there is a mistaken impression that they cannot harm the body.
Is it possible to overdose on valerian and how does it manifest itself? And most importantly, how to help a person in this case.
In what cases does an overdose of valerian occur?
The maximum daily dose of the drug for an adult is 200 mg of valerian extract. Take 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day. It should be taken into account that the amount of active ingredients in one tablet of different valerian preparations can vary greatly. Some contain only 20 mg, others - 40 mg, and still others - all 200 mg. Therefore, if one drug is prescribed 2 tablets 3 times a day, then if another drug is taken in such quantities, an overdose may occur. To prevent this, be sure to read the instructions before starting treatment.
Some valerian preparations are prohibited for children
The most common valerian preparations are produced in the following dosages:
- 1 tablet of Valerian Extract, produced by Arterium, contains 20 mg of active ingredient. They drink 1-2 pieces 3-4 times a day;
- A Valerian tablet produced by Sopharma contains 30 mg of active ingredients. The recommended dose is 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day;
- Valerian Forte (Arterium) tablet contains 40 mg of active ingredients. They are taken 1-2 tablets 3 times a day;
- Belmed Valerian tablet contains 200 mg of powdered roots and rhizomes of the plant. This drug is prescribed 1 tablet one to three times a day, but it is not recommended to take the medicine without a doctor’s prescription.
In rare cases, a doctor may prescribe valerian to a patient in a dosage of up to 3 grams per day. However, you cannot take such large doses on your own. When consuming how much of the drug an overdose occurs depends on the individual sensitivity of the person.
Valerian is a low-toxic drug, and its lethal dose has not been established, that is, it is not known whether a person can die from drinking valerian tablets. To date, there are no documented cases of death caused by an overdose of valerian tablets. However, its consequences can be serious disruptions in the functioning of internal organs, in which the patient will need hospitalization and qualified medical care.
On a note
There is a known case of overdose when a young man at the age of 18 deliberately took 50 tablets of valerian. They corresponded to 23 grams of active substance. Half an hour after taking the medicine, the teenager developed severe weakness, trembling in his arms and legs, nausea and chest pain. After medical care was provided, the patient’s condition returned to normal, and after 24 hours all symptoms disappeared. The diagnostic results showed that the drug overdose did not provoke serious disturbances in the functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs.
An overdose of valerian is also possible with long-term use at the recommended dose. In most cases, the course of treatment lasts from 10 days to a month. It is undesirable to take the drug for longer, since side effects may occur when a large amount of active substances accumulates in the body. If you need to drink valerian for longer, after a month of taking it, take a week’s break, and then continue treatment.
It is also useful to read: How effective and how is valerian drops used?
Since valerian enhances the effect of sedatives, hypnotics and antispasmodics, it should not be taken together with them. In these cases, there is also a risk of overdose.
The main causes of valerian poisoning
An overdose of valerian can develop for many reasons.
Most people do not take this drug seriously and do not consider it dangerous to health.
Please note that anyone who takes this drug without first consulting with their doctor can become poisoned by valerian. If you have problems sleeping or are constantly stressed, consult a neurologist.
The reasons for valerian overdose are listed below.
What may be the symptoms of an overdose?
In case of an overdose of valerian, its main effects may be enhanced, and side or opposite effects may appear.
The most common symptoms are:
- Nervous overexcitation, sleep disturbance, insomnia;
- Heart rhythm disturbances;
- High blood pressure;
- Weakness and trembling in the arms and legs;
- Dizziness, loss of consciousness;
- Headache;
- Heartburn, nausea, vomiting;
- Changes in stool;
- Partial loss of vision or hearing;
- Redness, rashes on the skin.
This rash is a consequence of intoxication, but not an allergy.
If any of these symptoms appear, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
The effect of valerian on the body
Valeriana extract has the following effects:
- Calms the nervous system.
- Strengthens sleep.
- Stimulates digestion - increases the production of bile and gastric enzymes.
- Aligns heart rate and breathing.
- Prevents the increase in blood pressure.
- Relaxes smooth muscle tissue.
The positive effects of valerian appear only after prolonged use, since the substance must accumulate in the body. However, self-treatment often leads to overdose and, as a result, intoxication.
Why is an overdose of valerian dangerous?
Taking a large number of valerian tablets at one time can cause severe poisoning and intoxication of the body. In difficult cases, the victim may fall asleep soundly, while his blood pressure and pulse may drop significantly, and his breathing may become shallow and weak. This condition is life-threatening, so the patient requires urgent hospitalization.
With less severe intoxication, the drug can also provoke a decrease in blood pressure to critical values. This is especially dangerous for people with hypotension. In some cases, the effect of valerian may be the opposite, and the pressure, on the contrary, will increase. In addition, there is a risk of heart rhythm disturbances.
Valerian can have a significant negative effect on internal organs only with constant use in extremely high doses. Numerous studies have proven the low toxicity of the drug. During tests conducted on animals, it was found that regular intake of valerian at a dose of 4 grams per 1 kilogram of weight leads to toxic damage to liver cells and the development of diseases. In this case, bone marrow damage also occurs. Such doses of the drug are not used for medicinal purposes.
Stories from our readers
Vladimir 61 years old
- Taking large amounts of the drug during stressful situations or insomnia. Wanting to achieve the desired sedative effect, a person can take a handful of tablets (an adult can take no more than 2 tablets of valerian at one time, and no more than 6 tablets in one day), or a whole bottle of valerian tincture (the permissible single dose for adults is 30 drops, daily – 90 drops).
- Suicidal intentions. An overdose of sedatives often occurs in people who decide to end their life. In large doses, even “harmless” valerian leads to death.
- Accidental use of valerian tablets or drops by a child who found the drug left in an accessible place and decided to taste it.
- Combination of the drug with alcoholic beverages. Alcohol and sedatives enhance each other's effects. Simultaneous drug and alcohol poisoning may develop.
How to help a victim at home
If overdose symptoms appear during long-term use of valerian, it is recommended to stop treatment. In this case, you should consult a doctor who, if necessary, will replace the drug with another one.
In case of an overdose caused by a single dose of a large number of tablets (more than 200 mg of active ingredients) in the first half hour, it makes sense to induce vomiting. This is relevant only when the drug was taken no more than 10-15 minutes ago and has not yet had time to be absorbed. Children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular diseases should not intentionally induce vomiting.
In case of a slight overdose, when there are no pronounced symptoms, it is recommended to drink a lot of water to cleanse the body. Activated carbon or other sorbent drugs are also sometimes taken. You should not drink milk or carbonated drinks.
Mild poisoning usually causes a feeling of nausea. It is useful to go outside, breathe fresh air and drink a few glasses of water.
When taking tablets whose amount of active ingredient significantly exceeds the recommended daily dose, you should immediately call an ambulance. This is especially important if a child or pregnant woman drank valerian.
Complications and consequences
Among the consequences of an overdose of valerian tablets or drops, the most dangerous are severe allergies and anaphylactic shock, which can sometimes lead to death.
What happens if you drink a lot of valerian? After deliberate use of valerian in very large quantities, a sharp inhibition of the central nervous system occurs, up to coma.
Long-term consequences usually manifest themselves in inhibition: reactions decrease, concentration of attention worsens. This is a serious obstacle for vehicle drivers and people whose work requires great composure, attention and speed.
With prolonged use of large quantities of alcohol tincture, alcohol dependence , so-called pharmaceutical alcoholism, can develop. Children's and young bodies are least resistant to it, so it is better for children, teenagers and young adults to take tablets or decoctions.
In most cases, correct and timely assistance in case of overdose, adequate treatment and rehabilitation can eliminate all the negative consequences of poisoning.
What do they do in the hospital in case of intoxication?
In the clinic, a patient with intoxication can undergo gastric and intestinal lavage, and in difficult cases, hemodialysis or hemofiltration. If necessary, resuscitation and other medical procedures are carried out to stabilize the patient's condition.
When the victim’s life is not in danger, he is prescribed droppers or special drugs in drinking form to restore the water and electrolyte balance in the body. The patient also undergoes laboratory and instrumental tests, the results of which determine the need for further treatment.
First aid
If an overdose of valerian occurs in the form of tablets, tinctures or drops, then a number of measures must be taken before the ambulance arrives.
What to do in case of valerian poisoning: first aid
First of all, rinse the victim’s stomach. For rinsing, adults can use a solution of potassium permanganate. If an overdose occurs in children, it is best to rinse the stomach with boiled, cooled water. Give the child to drink as much water as possible, then press on the root of the tongue and thereby induce a gag reflex.
Second stage: perform a cleansing enema. For the enema, use plain boiled water, which should be at room temperature.
If valerian poisoning occurs during pregnancy, rinse the stomach. Doctors recommend that pregnant women additionally take a light sorbent.
Compound
First, you need to briefly talk about it. Valerian, no matter what form it is released in, contains the following substances:
- Essential oil. This, by the way, is what causes the smell of the medicine. The oil, in turn, contains sesquiterpenes, bornyl isovalerate, terpineol, borneol, isovaleric acid and pinene.
- Free valerenic and valeric acids.
- Triterpene glycosides.
- Organic acids (malic, formic, stearic, acetic, palmitic).
- Tannins.
- Valepotriates.
- Free amines.
The combination of all of these components ensures the onset of a sedative effect after taking the drug. Interestingly, the highest concentration of substances is contained in the rhizomes of plants collected either in early spring or late autumn. They are used in the production of medicines.
Treatment methods
If an overdose of valerian root extract is diagnosed, you need to normalize your heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing:
- If necessary, the stomach is washed, laxatives and diuretics are prescribed.
- The patient is given IVs and given medications that support the functioning of vital systems.
- In severe cases, an oxygen mask is used.
- They use an antidote.
The therapy program is prescribed depending on the amount of valerian taken and the presence of chronic diseases. For example, the female body is at particular risk during pregnancy, since the ingredients easily penetrate the placenta and the unborn child suffers.
Antidote
There is no specific remedy for valerian; common sorbents are used as an antidote - Activated carbon, Polysorb, Smecta.
How to quickly eliminate side effects from an overdose of valerian
If after taking high doses of valerian you suffer from general weakness, drowsiness, or other side effects, dissolve the powder of any sorbent in a glass of warm water and drink on an empty stomach. You can also neutralize the effect of a large amount of the drug by taking 4-6 tablets of white coal, which contains highly dispersed silicon dioxide and quickly eliminates the symptoms of intoxication. If allergic reactions occur after taking a large dose of valerian, take an antihistamine and call a doctor. It is rational to call emergency help if you have given your child a large amount of medicine or the child accidentally found the pills and swallowed the entire pack.
An overdose of valerian happens quite often. The fact is that this sedative drug is freely available and its cost is low, so most people choose it.
Valerian extract is considered one of the safest medicines. But, despite this, like any other medicine, valerian, if the dose is not taken correctly, can negatively affect your health.
