Phenobarbital (Phenobarbital) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Phenobarbital

Insomnia »

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both, despite adequate opportunity and time to sleep, leading to impaired daytime functioning. Insomnia may be due to poor quality or quantity of sleep.

Insomnia is very common and occurs in 30% to 50% of the general population. Approximately 10% of the population may suffer from chronic (long-standing) insomnia.

Insomnia affects people of all ages including children, although it is more common in adults and its frequency increases with age. In general, women are affected more frequently than men.

Insomnia may be divided into three classes based on the duration of symptoms.

Insomnia lasting one week or less may be termed transient insomnia;
short-term insomnia lasts more than one week but resolves in less than three weeks; and
long-term or chronic insomnia lasts more than three we...

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Phenobarbital

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Phenobarbital
Tablets and Elixir

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Phenobarbital is a barbiturate, nonselective central nervous system depressant which is primarily used as a sedative hypnotic and also as an anticonvulsant in subhypnotic doses.

Phenobarbital Tablets and Elixir are administered orally and are contained in DEA Schedule IV. Barbiturates are substituted pyrimidine derivatives in which the basic structure common to these drugs is barbituric acid, a substance which has no central nervous system (CNS) activity. CNS activity is obtained by substituting alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl groups on the pyrimidine ring.

Chemically Designated: 5-Ethyl -5-phenylbarbituric acid

Molecular Formula: C₁₂H₁₂N₂O₃

Molecular Weight: 232.24

Inactive Ingredients

Oral Tablets - corn starch, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate and sodium starch glycolate

Oral Elixir - ethyl alcohol, glycerin, oil of orange, sucrose, water, FD& C Red #40 and FD& C Blue #1

What are the possible side effects of phenobarbital (Solfoton)?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
slow heartbeat, shallow breathing;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
a fever or a sore throat;
sores in...

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What are the precautions when taking phenobarbital (Phenobarbital)?

Before taking phenobarbital, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other barbiturates (such as primidone, secobarbital); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain hormone problems (adrenal disease such as Addison's disease), liver problems, kidney problems, lung disease (such as sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), mental/mood disorders (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), history of alcohol/substance abuse, personal/family history of a certain blood disorder (porphyria), certain vitamin...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 12/8/2004
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.