Sanalepsi with Valerian

Products

The mixture of Sanalepsi solution (active ingredient: doxylamine 10 mg/ml) with valerian tincture is prepared in pharmacies as an in-house preparation. Because the sleeping pill and sedative Sanalepsi has been reclassified to dispensing category B (ex-list C) in 2019, dispensing in pharmacies must be done by the pharmacist. A consultation is required and dispensing must be documented. A physician’s prescription as an extemporaneous prescription is also possible.

Manufacture

The common preparation is a 1:1 mixture of volumes, which can be made with a graduated cylinder:

  • Sanalepsi solution: 50 ml
  • Valerian tincture: 50 ml

The liquid is transferred with the help of a funnel into a medicine bottle with a pipette or dropper. Expiration after opening: 6 months (applies to Sanalepsi).

Effects

Doxylamine and valerian have sedative, sleep-inducing, antianxiety, and anticholinergic properties.

Indications for use

For short-term treatment of restlessness, nervousness, and sleep disorders.

Dosage

For adults:

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity
  • Acute asthma attack
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Bladder emptying disorder with residual urine formation
  • Epilepsy
  • Concurrent therapy with MAO inhibitors
  • Children and adolescents
  • Pregnancy, lactation

Full precautions can be found in the drug labeling information for both products.

Interactions

Central depressant drugs, alcohol, and anticholinergics may increase adverse effects and should not be combined.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects include (selection):