What is this medicine?
PENTOBARBITAL (pen toe BAR bi tal) is a barbiturate. It is a sedative that is used to treat sleeping problems. It is used before surgery to induce sleep. It is also used to treat seizures in an emergency.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breathing problems
- confusion
- depression
- feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
- fever, sore throat
- hallucinations
- pain at site where injected
- problems with balance, talking, walking
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- slow heartbeat
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusually weak or tired
- worsening of mood, thoughts or actions of suicide or dying
- yellowing of skin or eyes
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- constipation
- drowsy
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- trouble sleeping, nightmares
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection into a muscle or a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- alcohol
- antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
- cyclosporine
- doxycycline
- female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
- griseofulvin
- imatinib
- kava kava
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
- medicines for seizures
- medicines for sleep
- muscle relaxants
- narcotic medicines for pain
- other barbiturates
- primidone
- quinidine
- steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
- valerian
- warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to any barbiturates.
- History of manifest or latent porphyria. (See Porphyria under Cautions.)
- Bronchopneumonia or other severe pulmonary insufficiency.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.
You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take the medicine for a long time.
Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
The use of this medicine may increase the chance of suicidal thoughts or actions. Pay special attention to how you are responding while on this medicine. Any worsening of mood, or thoughts of suicide or dying should be reported to your health care professional right away.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- depression
- drug abuse or addiction
- if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- lung or breathing disease, like asthma
- porphyria
- suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
- an unusual or allergic reaction to pentobarbital, other barbiturates, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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