Phenobarbital
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Questions & Answers
Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
- Habit Forming. Phenobarbital may be habit forming. Tolerance and psychological and physical dependence may occur with continued use (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE and Pharmacokinetics under CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). Patients who have psychologic dependence on barbiturates may increase the dosage or decrease the dosage interval without consulting a physician and may subsequently develop a physical dependence on barbiturates. In order to minimize the possibility of overdosage or the development of dependence, the prescribing and dispensing of sedative-hypnotic barbiturates should be limited to the amount required for the interval until the next appointment. Abrupt cessation after prolonged use in a person who is dependent on the drug may result in withdrawal symptoms, including delirium, convulsions, and possibly death. Barbiturates should be withdrawn gradually from any patient known to be taking excessive doses over long periods of time (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).
- Acute or Chronic Pain. Caution should be exercised when barbiturates are administered to patients with acute or chronic pain, because paradoxical excitement could be induced or important symptoms could be masked. However, the use of barbiturates as sedatives in the postoperative surgical period and as adjuncts to cancer chemotherapy is well established.
- Usage in Pregnancy. Barbiturates can cause fetal damage when administered to a pregnant woman. Retrospective, case-controlled studies have suggested a connection between the maternal consumption of barbiturates and a higher than expected incidence of fetal abnormalities. Barbiturates readily cross the placental barrier and are distributed throughout fetal tissues; the highest concentrations are found in the placenta, fetal liver, and brain. Fetal blood levels approach maternal blood levels following parenteral administration. Withdrawal symptoms occur in infants born to women who receive barbiturates throughout the last trimester of pregnancy (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). If phenobarbital is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
- Usage in Pediatric Patients. Phenobarbital has been reported to be associated with cognitive deficits in children taking it for complicated febrile seizures.
- Synergistic Effects. The concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may produce additive CNS depressant effects.
Legal Issues
There is currently no legal information available for this drug.
FDA Safety Alerts
There are currently no FDA safety alerts available for this drug.
Manufacturer Warnings
There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.
FDA Labeling Changes
There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.
Uses
- Sedative
- Anticonvulsant – For the treatment of generalized and partial seizures.
History
There is currently no drug history available for this drug.
Other Information
The barbiturates are nonselective central nervous system (CNS) depressants that are primarily used as sedative-hypnotics. In subhypnotic doses, they are also used as anticonvulsants. The barbiturates and their sodium salts are subject to control under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Phenobarbital is a barbituric acid derivative and occurs as white, odorless, small crystals or crystalline powder that is very slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, in ether, and in solutions of fixed alkali hydroxides and carbonates; sparingly soluble in chloroform. Phenobarbital is 5-ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid. Phenobarbital is a substituted pyrimidine derivative in which the basic structure is barbituric acid, a substance that has no CNS activity. CNS activity is obtained by substituting alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl groups on the pyrimidine ring. It has the following structural formula:
Each phenobarbital tablet contains 16.2 mg, 32.4 mg, 64.8 mg or 97.2 mg of phenobarbital.
In addition each tablet contains: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and sodium starch glycolate.
Sources
Phenobarbital Manufacturers
-
Direct Rx
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Direct Rx]](/wp-content/themes/bootstrap/assets/img/loading2.gif)
Phenobarbital | Direct Rx
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.
Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.
Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Eci Pharmaceuticals, Llc
Phenobarbital | Eci Pharmaceuticals, Llc
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Cardinal Health
Phenobarbital | Cardinal Health
Oral Sedative Dose, Adults – 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses. Children – 6 mg/kg of body weight daily in 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic Dose, Adults – 100 to 320 mg.
Oral Anticonvulsant Dose, Adults – 50 to 100 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
Children – 15 to 50 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
-
Pack Pharmaceuticals, Llc
Phenobarbital | Pack Pharmaceuticals, Llc
The dose of Phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of it particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patients age, weight, and condition.
SedationFor sedation, the drug may be administered in single doses of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals; frequency will be determined by the patient's response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of Phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.
Adults: Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg
Anticonvulsant UseClinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of Phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In pediatric patients and infants, Phenobarbital at a loading dose to 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/kg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient PopulationDosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Contract Pharmacy Services-pa
Phenobarbital | Contract Pharmacy Services-pa
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Pd-rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Phenobarbital | Pd-rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Mckesson Contract Packaging
Phenobarbital | Mckesson Contract Packaging
Oral Sedative Dose, Adults – 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses. Children – 6 mg/kg of body weight daily in 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic Dose, Adults – 100 to 320 mg.
Oral Anticonvulsant Dose, Adults – 50 to 100 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
Children – 15 to 50 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
-
Bryant Ranch Prepack
Phenobarbital | Bryant Ranch Prepack
Oral Sedative Dose, Adults – 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses. Children – 6 mg/kg of body weight daily in 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic Dose, Adults – 100 to 320 mg.
Oral Anticonvulsant Dose, Adults – 50 to 100 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
Children – 15 to 50 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
-
C.o. Truxton, Inc.
Phenobarbital | C.o. Truxton, Inc.
Oral Sedative Dose, Adults – 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses. Children – 6 mg/kg of body weight daily in 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic Dose, Adults – 100 to 320 mg.
Oral Anticonvulsant Dose, Adults – 50 to 100 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
Children – 15 to 50 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
-
West-ward Pharmaceutical Corp
Phenobarbital | West-ward Pharmaceutical Corp
Oral Sedative Dose, Adults – 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses. Children – 6 mg/kg of body weight daily in 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic Dose, Adults – 100 to 320 mg.
Oral Anticonvulsant Dose, Adults – 50 to 100 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
Children – 15 to 50 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
-
Aphena Pharma Solutions – Tennessee, Inc.
Phenobarbital | Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, Inc.
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Mckesson Packaging Services Business Unit Of Mckesson Corporation
Phenobarbital | Mckesson Packaging Services Business Unit Of Mckesson Corporation
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.
Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.
Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher perkilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Bryant Ranch Prepack
Phenobarbital | Bryant Ranch Prepack
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
-
Qualitest Pharmaceuticals
Phenobarbital | Pd-rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The recommended dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is one 800 mg tablet three to four times a day.
-
American Health Packaging
Phenobarbital | American Health Packaging
The dose of phenobarbital must be individualized with full knowledge of its particular characteristics. Factors of consideration are the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
Sedation:
For sedation, the drug may be administered in single dose of 30 to 120 mg repeated at intervals: frequency will be determined by the patient’s response. It is generally considered that no more than 400 mg of phenobarbital should be administered during a 24-hour period.Adults:
Daytime Sedation: 30 to 120 mg daily in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Oral Hypnotic: 100 to 200 mg.Anticonvulsant Use – Clinical laboratory reference values should be used to determine the therapeutic anticonvulsant level of phenobarbital in the serum. To achieve the blood levels considered therapeutic in pediatric patients, higher per-kilogram dosages are generally necessary for phenobarbital and most other anticonvulsants. In children and infants, phenobarbital at a loading dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg produces blood levels of about 20 mcg/mL shortly after administration.
Phenobarbital has been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of febrile seizures. However, it has not been established that prevention of febrile seizures influences the subsequent development of epilepsy.
Adults: 60 to 200 mg/day.
Pediatric Patients: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day.
Special Patient Population – Dosage should be reduced in the elderly or debilitated because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates. Dosage should be reduced for patients with impaired renal function or hepatic disease.
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Eci Pharmaceuticals, Llc]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=746d5afa-d2f2-475f-b318-d4003c6d6924&name=phenotabs-2.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Cardinal Health]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=5a0030aa-bfd4-4f22-9c1f-b6db16f25ec5&name=5a0030aa-bfd4-4f22-9c1f-b6db16f25ec5-02.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Liquid [Pack Pharmaceuticals, Llc]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=7f022b36-494f-49da-b09d-82413a507392&name=phenobarbital-02.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Contract Pharmacy Services-pa]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=e8e1b3d7-0272-4278-b2a3-1d10dbeb0a5a&name=e8e1b3d7-0272-4278-b2a3-1d10dbeb0a5a-02.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Pd-rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=e8f17385-5731-4cce-87bb-768b817dfa8d&name=55289337.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Mckesson Contract Packaging]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=9b485365-2bbd-4ae9-bad1-89751e172af7&name=4d2db83d-8df4-46de-bf04-91405a166b8d-02.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Bryant Ranch Prepack]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=f4836060-5cd0-78c5-b4b3-34b5b4acd80e&name=label1datamaxfda682.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [C.o. Truxton, Inc.]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=894c57ee-0f5f-41a1-9e0d-3f1f8fdfc9ab&name=phenobarbital-tablets-2.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [West-ward Pharmaceutical Corp]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=8f02e85a-6dca-467d-b2bf-ab2f9fa9ef3b&name=phenobarbital-tablets---old-ndc-500s-2.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Aphena Pharma Solutions – Tennessee, Inc.]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=b07a9069-791b-4584-897c-873b8570b83e&name=67544-057.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Mckesson Packaging Services Business Unit Of Mckesson Corporation]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=073b9e2d-b183-4e20-b8ce-fd3ab07588da&name=7b15c232-d2d8-41f6-b45a-475405c02fb0-02.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Bryant Ranch Prepack]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=f43ef61d-3022-4c0c-bd4b-8f58d6f32e8f&name=45461.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [Qualitest Pharmaceuticals]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=36827d11-e2cb-487a-a722-0a832bec70fa&name=43063581.jpg)
![Phenobarbital Tablet [American Health Packaging]](http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=1c97b14f-b6a9-4f34-891c-f84280729a89&name=image-02.jpg)
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