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|Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital is used for:

The short-term treatment of sleeplessness, the relief of anxiety, tension, and fear, and the treatment of certain types of seizures, especially in emergency situations. It also may be used to treat certain conditions as determined by your doctor, which may not be listed in the professional package insert.

Phenobarbital is a barbiturate. It works by depressing the central nervous system. This aids you in relaxing and going to sleep.

Do NOT use Phenobarbital if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Phenobarbital
• you have the blood disorder porphyria
• you are also taking sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Phenobarbital :

Some medical conditions may interact with Phenobarbital . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you suffer from depression, have suicidal tendencies, have a history of substance abuse
• if you have liver problems, respiratory disease
• if you have pain or are in shock

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Phenobarbital . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Sodium oxybate (GHB), stiripentol, or valproic acid because the side effects of Phenobarbital may be increased
• Methoxyflurane because the actions and side effects may be increased by Phenobarbital
• Beta-adrenergic blockers (eg, propranolol), clozapine, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), digitoxin, doxycycline, estrogens, imatinib, metronidazole, oral contraceptives (eg, norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol), quinidine, theophyllines, voriconazole, or warfarin because effectiveness of these medicines may be reduced

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Phenobarbital may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Phenobarbital :

Use Phenobarbital as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Phenobarbital is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Phenobarbital at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Phenobarbital contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Phenobarbital , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Phenobarbital .

Important safety information:

• Phenobarbital may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Phenobarbital . Using Phenobarbital alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Phenobarbital . Phenobarbital will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Phenobarbital may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control while using Phenobarbital .
• Use Phenobarbital with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Phenobarbital is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Phenobarbital has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Phenobarbital during pregnancy. Phenobarbital is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Phenobarbital , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

When sleep medicines are used every night for more than a few weeks, they may lose their effectiveness to help you sleep. This is known as TOLERANCE. Sleep medicines should usually be used only for short periods of time, such as a few days and generally no longer then 1 or 2 weeks. If your sleep problems continue, contact your doctor.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Phenobarbital . This is known as DEPENDENCE or "addiction." If you suddenly stop taking Phenobarbital , you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including anxiety, convulsion or seizures, dizziness, increasing weakness, lightheadedness, muscle twitching, nausea, sleeplessness, trembling hands and fingers, unusual visions, vomiting.

Possible side effects of Phenobarbital :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Agitated mood; clumsiness; confusion; dizziness; excessive daytime drowsiness; headache; injection site reactions; lightheadedness; low blood pressure; nausea; slow heartbeat; slowed breathing; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty breathing; liver damage.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include change in size of pupil; cold, clammy skin; deep sleep; loss of consciousness; slowed or fast breathing.

Store Phenobarbital at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Phenobarbital out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Phenobarbital , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Phenobarbital is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Phenobarbital . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.