Phenobarbital

(fee noh BAR bi tawl)

Other Name: Phenobarbitone

Introduced: 1912

Prescription: USA: Yes Canada: Yes

Available as Generic: Yes

Class: Sedative, anticonvulsant, barbiturates

Controlled Drug: USA: CIV Canada: < C>

Brand Names: Barbidonna [CD], Barbidonna Elixir [CD], Barbita, Bellade-nal [CD], Belladenal-S [CD], Belladenal Spacetabs [CD], Bellergal [CD], Bellergal-S [CD], Bellergal Spacetabs [CD], Bronchotabs [CD], Bronkolixir [CD], Chardonna-2 [CD], Diclophen [CD], Dilantin w/Phenobarbital [CD], Donnatal [CD], Donnazyme [CD], Gardenal, Kinesed [CD], Luminal, Mudrane GG Elixir & Tablets [CD], Mudrane Tablets [CD], Neuro-Spasex [CD], Neuro-Trasentin [CD], Neuro-Trasentin Forte [CD], Phenaphen Capsules [CD], Phenaphen No. 2, 3, 4 [CD], Quadrinal [CD], Solfoton, Tedral Preparations [CD]

Principal Uses

As a Single Drug Product: This barbiturate drug has two primary uses: (1) as a mild sedative to relieve anxiety, nervous tension and insomnia; and (2) as an anticonvulsant to control grand mal epilepsy and all types of partial seizures. It is also used to control febrile seizures of child­hood.

As a Combination Drug Product [CD]: This drug is available in many combi­nations with derivatives of belladonna, an antispasmodic commonly used to treat functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also available in combination with bronchodilators for the treatment of asthma, and with ergotamine for the treatment of headaches.

See Schedules of Controlled Drugs inside back cover.

How This Drug Works: Not completely established. It is thought that by impeding the transfer of sodium and potassium across cell mem­branes, this drug selectively blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. This could serve to produce a sedative effect and to suppress the spread of nerve impulses that are responsible for epileptic seizures.

Available Dosage Forms and Strengths

Capsules — 16 mg

Elixir — 15 mg, 20 mg per 5-ml teaspoonful Tablets — 8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg, 65 mg, 100 mg

Usual Adult Dosage Range: As sedative: 15 to 30 mg 2 to 4 times/day. As hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg at bedtime. As anticonvulsant: 100 to 200 mg given as a single dose at bedtime. The total daily dosage should not exceed 600 mg. Note: Actual dosage and administration schedule must be determined by the physician for each patient individually.

Dosing Instructions: May be taken with or after food to reduce stomach

irritation. Regular tablets may be crushed and capsules opened for administration. Prolonged-action dosage forms should be swallowed whole without alteration.

Usual Duration of Use: Continual use on a regular schedule for 3 to 5 days is usually necessary to determine this drug's effectiveness in relieving anxiety and tension, and for 4 to 6 weeks to determine its ability to control seizures. If used to treat anxiety-tension states, its use should not exceed 4 weeks without reappraisal of continued need. Long-term use for seizure control (months to years) requires supervision and periodic evaluation by your physician. Consult your physician on a regular basis.