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Nembutal, Nembutal Sodium, |Nembutal Sodium

Nembutal Sodium

Generic Name: pentobarbital (pen toe BAR bi tal)
Brand Names: Nembutal, Nembutal Sodium

What is pentobarbital?

Pentobarbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates (bar bi TURE ates). Pentobarbital depresses the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Pentobarbital is used to treat insomnia (for up to 2 weeks) and to induce sleep before surgery.

Pentobarbital may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about pentobarbital?

Call your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, a sore throat, sores in your mouth, broken blood vessels under your skin, or easy bruising or bleeding. These could be early signs of a serious side effect.

Who should not take pentobarbital?

• porphyria,

• liver disease,
• kidney disease, or

• severe respiratory disease such as severe asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have ever had a drug or alcohol addiction in the past. Pentobarbital is habit forming, which means that you can become addicted to it.

Pentobarbital may cause excitement, irritability, aggression, depression, or confusion-- particularly in children and in adults over 60 years of age. Lower doses and close monitoring may be necessary.

How should I take pentobarbital?

Take pentobarbital exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

The suppositories are for rectal use. Ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor for instructions if you do not know how to insert a suppository.

To treat insomnia, pentobarbital is usually taken just before bedtime. Take your dose when you are ready to get into bed, or not long before, so that if you become sleepy, you will not fall or become confused and accidentally injure yourself. Pentobarbital should not be used for longer than 2 weeks to treat insomnia.

To cause sedation, pentobarbital may be taken several times a day at regular intervals, or shortly before surgery.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a pentobarbital overdose include difficulty breathing, back-and-forth movements of the eyes, appearance of being drunk, fast heartbeat, low body temperature, heavy sedation, coma, and death.

What should I avoid while taking pentobarbital?

Do not take this medicine for longer than 2 weeks to treat insomnia.

Pentobarbital side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a fever or a sore throat;

• sores in your mouth;

• broken blood vessels under your skin; or

• easy bruising or bleeding.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pentobarbital and talk to your doctor if you experience

• drowsiness or dizziness;

• confusion;

• agitation, irritability, or excitability;

• nightmares, nervousness, or anxiety;

• headache; or

• "hangover" effect (drowsiness the day after a dose).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect pentobarbital?

Large chronic doses of pentobarbital may cause liver damage if it is taken with acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking pentobarbital on a regular basis. Pain and fever reducers other than acetaminophen are available and may be more suitable choices.

Pentobarbital may decrease the effectiveness of many drugs, including the following:

• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin). Blood clotting could result.

• carbamazepine (Tegretol) and clonazepam (Klonopin). Reduced effectiveness of these medicines could lead to poor seizure control.

• birth control pills. Breakthrough bleeding or unplanned pregnancy could result. Use of a second form of birth control is recommended.

• steroid medicines such as hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), prednisolone (Prelone, Delta Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others.

• felodipine (Plendil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), and quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinora, Quinaglute). Reduced effectiveness could lead to poor control of blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or other heart conditions.

• fenoprofen (Nalfon). Reduced effectiveness could lead to a loss of inflammation or pain control.

• griseofulvin (Grisactin, Fulvicin PG, Grifulvin V), and metronidazole (Flagyl, Metryl, Metizol). Reduced effectiveness could lead to recurrence or worsening of an infection.

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, Slo-Bid, others). Asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions could grow worse.

Other drugs may also influence the activity of pentobarbital:

• Alcohol, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, and other drugs that cause tiredness or sedation may increase the drowsiness caused by pentobarbital.

• Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactine) may decrease the effects of pentobarbital.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pentobarbital. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about pentobarbital written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Pentobarbital is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Nembutal in capsules, suppositories, and as an injection. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Nembutal Sodium 50 mg--orange-and-clear capsules

• Nembutal Sodium 100 mg--yellow capsules

• Nembutal Sodium Suppositories in 30 mg, 60 mg, 120 mg, and 200 mg strengths

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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