Product Description

Uses

Barbital (phenobarbital) is a medication used for the treatment of certain forms of epilepsy; this medication can also be used to treat patients who have insomnia.

How to take

Barbital should be taken exactly as prescribed.
It is taken one to three times a day.
It is typically taken without food, but can be taken with food if it causes an upset stomach.
This medication is taken orally as a pill or as an elixir.

Side effects

Consult your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
dizziness, clumsiness, sleepiness, staggering walk, drowsiness, vomiting, tiredness, nausea and loss of appetite.
Less-common side effects include increased dreaming, headache, nightmares and constipation.
Serious side effects do not occur often, but if they do, they often require immediate medical attention.
These serious side effects include mental changes, bone breaks, mood changes, bone pain, slowed heartbeat, confusion, itchiness, agitation, fainting, yellow eyes or skin, hallucinations, severe reduction in appetite, anxiety, weakness, inability to think quickly or clearly, severe tiredness, persistent nausea, brown urine, persistent vomiting, white chalky stools and abdominal pain.

Precaution

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding; if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances.
Certain medical conditions may become worsened by taking barbital.
These include sleep apnea, alcoholism, severe lung problems, severe liver disease, porphyria, illegal drug use, kidney problems, chronic pain problems, mood disorders, mental disorders and liver problems.
Barbital may lead to abnormal drug-seeking behavior, dependence or addition, particularly when taken for prolonged periods or time or when taken more often than needed.
Dangerous activities should not be performed when taking this medication.
Barbital should not be taken by woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions may increase barbital's side effects or cause other side effects. Drugs that may interact include voriconazole, sleep medications, darunavir, anxiety medications, delavirdine, muscle relaxants, etravirine, narcotic pain medications, sodium oxybate, psychiatric medications, anti-seizure medications, antihistamines, warfarin, MAO inhibitors, estrogens, theophylline, erlotinib, telithromycin, corticosteroids, valporic acid, quinidine, phenytoin, felodipine, irinotecan, doxycycline, antifungal medications and metronidazole.
Taking medications to treat a cough or a cold may cause increased drowsiness.
The effectiveness of certain birth control pills may be decreased when taken in combination with barbital.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Barbital and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if its nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Barbital at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Barbital out of the reach of children and away from pets