Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Take phenobarbital only when you are getting ready for several hours
of sleep. You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Measure the liquid form of phenobarbital with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not
a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you are taking this medicine to treat insomnia, take it only at bedtime. Do not use
phenobarbital for longer than 2 weeks to treat insomnia, unless your doctor has told you to.
Do not change your dose of phenobarbital without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor
if the medication does not seem to work as well in treating your condition.
If you are taking phenobarbital to treat seizures, keep taking the medication even if
you feel fine. You may have increased seizures or withdrawal symptoms if you stop using
phenobarbital suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
Store phenobarbital at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Phenobarbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using
this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do
not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. An overdose of phenobarbital can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, blurred vision, extreme
drowsiness, urinating less than usual or not at all, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking phenobarbital?
Phenobarbital can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, sleeping pills,
pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine to treat depression or anxiety). They can add to
sleepiness caused by phenobarbital.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of phenobarbital.
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