Nembutal (Pentobarbital) Drug Center: Guide to Drug Information for Professionals, Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Nembutal

Sleep Disorder Drugs »

Sleep disorder drugs (hypnotic and sedative drugs) overview

Insomnia, a disorder of sleep, occurs occasionally in most people but usually lasts only a few days. The body then "corrects" itself naturally, and people return to a normal pattern of sleep. Insomnia may be short-term (less than three weeks) or chronic, lasting longer than three weeks. Contributing factors include, but are not limited to, poor sleeping habits, stress, jet lag, medications, disease, and depression. Chronic insomnia may warrant the use of sedative/hypnotics medications; however, it is important that the treating physician perform a complete diagnostic evaluation as well as take medication and substance abuse histories, to exclude secondary insomnia due to other conditions.

Hypnotics/sedatives medications (henceforth referred to as hypnotics) work, in general, by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain. Neuro...

Read the Sleep Disorder Drugs article »

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Nembutal

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Nembutal Drug Center

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

Prescribing Information

For Patients

Nembutal in Detail with Side Effects

Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium) is used short-term to treat insomnia. It is also used as an emergency treatment for seizures, and to cause patients to fall asleep for surgery. Nembutal is in the barbiturate drug class, and acts as a depressant, or sedative. This medication is available in generic form. Common side effects include problems with memory or concentration, excitement, irritability, aggression, or confusion, loss of balance or coordination, nightmares, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, or drowsiness. Seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any serious side effects such as hallucinations, weak or shallow breathing, slow heart rate, weak pulse, or feeling like you might pass out.

Dosage of Nembutal is determined by the patient's age, weight, and condition. Nembutal may interact with other medications, including blood thinners, doxycycline, other seizure medications, MAO inhibitors, griseofulvin, birth control pills, hormone replacement estrogens, or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Do not use Nembutal if you are pregnant. It could harm a fetus. Nembutal may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy. Nembutal 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. Nembutal may be habit-forming. Do not stop using Nembutal suddenly after using it long-term, or you could have withdrawal symptoms.

Our Nembutal Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.

What is Prescribing information?

The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.

Nembutal Prescribing Information: Indications & Dosage

NEMBUTAL® (Pentobarbital Sodium) Structural Formula Illustration

Parenteral

Sedatives.
Hypnotics, for the short-term treatment of insomnia, since they appear to lose their effectiveness for sleep induction and sleep maintenance after 2 weeks (See "CLINCAL PHARMACOLOGY" section).
Preanesthetics.
Anticonvulsant, in anesthetic doses, in the emergency control of certain acute convulsive episodes, e.g., those associated with status epilepticus, cholera, eclampsia, meningitis, tetanus, and toxic reactions to strychnine or local anesthetics./l...

Read the complete drug monograph for Nembutal »

What is Nembutal Prescribing Information?

Drug Description - Indications & Dosage - Side Effects & Drug Interactions - Warnings & Precautions - Contraindications - Medication Guide and More

What is Patient information?

Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.

Nembutal Patient Information: Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: