Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
What Is Amytal Sodium?
Amytal Sodium (amobarbital sodium) For Injection is a sedative used for short-term treatment of insomnia.
What Are Side Effects of Amytal Sodium?
Common side effects of Amytal Sodium include:
- sleepiness,
- confusion,
- nervousness,
- insomnia,
- dizziness,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- constipation,
- headache,
- fever,
- agitation,
- nightmares,
- anxiety,
- sleep apnea,
- low blood pressure,
- fainting,
- injection site reactions,
- muscle spasm,
- loss of coordination,
- hallucinations,
- abnormal thinking,
- slow breathing,
- slow heart rate,
- hypersensitivity reactions (skin swelling, peeling, or rash), or
- liver damage.
Dosage for Amytal Sodium
Talk to your doctor about your individual dosage recommendation.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Amytal Sodium?
Phenobarbital, corticosteroids, doxycycline, phenytoin, CNS depressants, MAOIs, and estradiol may interact with Amytal Sodium. Tell your doctor all medications you take.
Amytal Sodium During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Amytal Sodium if you are pregnant. Exercise caution if you take Amytal Sodium while breastfeeding. Amytal Sodium may be habit forming and must only be used under the direction of a doctor. Tolerance and psychological and physical dependence may occur with continued use. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop using this drug.
Additional Information
Our Amytal Sodium (amobarbital sodium) For Injection, USP Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
QUESTION
Why do we sleep? See AnswerSIDE EFFECTS
The following adverse reactions and their incidence were compiled from surveillance of thousands of hospitalized patients who received barbiturates. Because such patients may be less aware of certain of the milder adverse effects of barbiturates, the incidence of these reactions may be somewhat higher in fully ambulatory patients.
More Than 1 In 100 Patients
The most common adverse reaction, estimated to occur at a rate of 1 to 3 patients per 100, is the following:
Nervous System: Somnolence
Less Than 1 In 100 Patients
Adverse reactions estimated to occur at a rate of less than 1 in 100 patients are listed below, grouped by organ system and by decreasing order of occurrence:
Nervous System: Agitation, confusion, hyperkinesia, ataxia, CNS depression, nightmares, nervousness, psychiatric disturbance, hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, abnormality in thinking
Respiratory System: Hypoventilation, apnea, postoperative atelectasis
Cardiovascular System: Bradycardia, hypotension, syncope
Digestive System: Nausea, vomiting, constipation
Other Reported Reactions: Headache, injection site reactions, hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema, skin rashes, exfoliative dermatitis), fever, liver damage, megaloblastic anemia following chronic phenobarbital use
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Amytal Sodium (Amobarbital Sodium Injection)
