What is phenobarbital?
Phenobarbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates (bar-BIT-chur-ates). Phenobarbital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.
Phenobarbital is used to treat or prevent seizures. It is also used short-term to treat insomnia, or as a sedative before surgery.
Phenobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about phenobarbital?
Do not use phenobarbital if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Phenobarbital may also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.
Phenobarbital can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking phenobarbital.
Phenobarbital may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking phenobarbital and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Do not stop using phenobarbital without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop using phenobarbital suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking phenobarbital and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
Phenobarbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenobarbital?
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking phenobarbital and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to phenobarbital or other barbiturates (Nembutal, Seconal, and others), or if you have:
porphyria;
severe liver disease;
a history of addiction to a barbiturate, sedative (Valium, Xanax, and others); or
severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing disorder.
To make sure you can safely take phenobarbital, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
temporary or chronic pain;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
a pituitary gland disorder;
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Phenobarbital may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share phenobarbital with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use phenobarbital if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Phenobarbital may also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Phenobarbital can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking phenobarbital.
Phenobarbital can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.