O General Information and Indications:
Phenobarbital, a barbiturate, is used to
control epilepsy (seizures) and as a sedative to relieve anxiety. It is also
used for short-term treatment of insomnia (sleeplessness) to help you fall
asleep.
O Information For Users:
Phenobarbital comes as a tablet, capsule, and
elixir (liquid) to take by mouth. You may obtain a specially marked
measuring spoon from your pharmacist to be sure of an accurate dose of the
liquid. It is usually taken one to three times a day and may be taken with
or without food. If you take phenobarbital once a day, take it at bedtime.
Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or
pharmacist If you have any questions. Take phenobarbital exactly as
directed. If you are taking phenobarbital to control convulsions or
seizures, follow the exact schedule prescribed by your doctor.
Phenobarbital can be habit-forming. Do not use phenobarbital for more than 2
weeks if it is being used to help you sleep. Do not take a larger dose, take
it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tolerance
may develop with long-term or excessive use, making the drug less effective.
This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses
even if you feel that you do not need them. Call your doctor if you have
convulsions or seizures while taking phenobarbital. Do not discontinue
taking this drug without informing your doctor, especially if you have been
taking it for a long time. Stopping the drug suddenly can cause withdrawal
symptoms (anxiousness, sleeplessness, and irritability). Your doctor
probably will decrease your dose gradually.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to phenobarbital or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol);
anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin); carbamazepine (Tegretol);
chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin); clonazepam (Klonopin); disulfiram (Antabuse);
doxycycline (Vibramycin); felodipine (Plendil); fenoprofen (Nalfon);
griseofulvin (Fulvicin); MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) or
tranylcypromine (Parnate)]; medications for depression, seizures, pain,
asthma, colds, or allergies; metoprolol (Lopressor); metronidazole (Flagyl);
muscle relaxants; phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin); propranolol (Inderal);
quinidine; rifampin (Rifadin); sedatives; sleeping pills; steroids;
theophylline (Theo-Dur); tranquilizers; valproic acid (Depakene); verapamil
(Calan); and vitamins. These medications may add to the drowsiness caused by
phenobarbital.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding anemia or seizures, or lung,
heart, or liver disease.
o use a method of birth control other than oral contraceptives while taking
this medication. Phenobarbital can decrease the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking phenobarbital, call your
doctor without delay.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking phenobarbital.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Side effects from phenobarbital are common and
include:
o drowsiness
o headache
o dizziness
o depression
o excitement (especially in children)
o upset stomach
o vomiting
Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
o nightmares
o increased dreaming
o constipation
o joint or muscle pain
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o seizures
o mouth sores
o sore throat
o easy bruising
o bloody nose
o unusual bleeding
o fever
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o severe skin rash
O Brand Name(s):
o Luminal® Sodium |
