• Discovered in 1912 for epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia.

• By the 1950s, barbiturates dominated psychiatry.

• In the West, they were phased out by safer medications; in Eastern Europe, they remained household staples.

• Corvalol: Ethyl bromide valerianate, phenobarbital, peppermint oil.

• Valocordin: Nearly identical, widely available in Russia and Germany.

• These mild-seeming remedies hide addictive phenobarbital levels.

“Regular consumption of Corvalol leads to phenobarbital buildup and chronic intoxication.”
— Russian State Pharmacological Center (2019)

• Enhances GABAergic activity (calms the brain).

• High doses depress breathing and heart function, risking fatal overdose.

• Chronic use causes tolerance → higher doses → dependency.

Withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening:

• Severe anxiety and tremors

• Seizures

• Psychosis

• Death without proper medical care

“Withdrawal from long-acting barbiturates like phenobarbital can be fatal without medical supervision.”
— World Health Organization (2019)

• 46% of elderly Russians report using Corvalol monthly.

• Labor migrants frequently self-treat with Corvalol for stress and depression.

Old beliefs in the harmlessness of these drugs make education challenging but essential.

Reported complications include:

• Coma after overdose

• Withdrawal-induced seizures

• Dangerous heart arrhythmias

• Increased fatality risk with opioids or alcohol

• Cultural traditions around Corvalol are deeply rooted.

• Public opposition complicates reform efforts to regulate or restrict sales.

“Older generations view Corvalol as a harmless tradition.”
— Dr. I.V. Sokolov, Moscow State Medical University (2022)

At Advanced Human Services, we:

• Screen for hidden phenobarbital use.

• Educate patients about safer medication alternatives.

• Respect cultural backgrounds while protecting health.

Our culturally competent programs provide both safety and dignity.