Phenobarbital (Phenobarbital) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Phenobarbital

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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 Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenobarbital (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.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to phenobarbital, or if you have porphyria.

Before taking phenobarbital, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
an adrenal gland disorder, such as pheochromocytoma;
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take phenobarbital.

Phenobarbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Phenobarbital should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of 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.

How should I take phenobarbital (Phenobarbital)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take phenobarbital only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep. You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Measure the liquid form of phenobarbital with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you are taking this medicine to treat insomnia, take it only at bedtime. Do not use phenobarbital for longer than 2 weeks to treat insomnia, unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not change your dose of phenobarbital without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if the medication does not seem to work as well in treating your condition.

If you are taking phenobarbital to treat seizures, keep taking the medication even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures or withdrawal symptoms if you stop using phenobarbital suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Store phenobarbital at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Phenobarbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

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