Phenobarbital

(fee noe BAR bi tal)

U.S. Brand Names

Luminal® Sodium

Canadian Brand Names

PMS-Phenobarbital

Mexican Brand Names

Alepsal

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as a liquid and a tablet.

Pharmacologic Category

Anticonvulsant, Barbiturate; Barbiturate

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to phenobarbital or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Not if your child has any of the following conditions: Blockage in the airway, liver disease, porphyria, or shortness of breath.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to prevent or treat high bilirubin levels in newborns.

• This medicine is used to prevent or treat seizures.

• This medicine is used to treat anxiety.

• This medicine is used to treat sleep disorders.

How does this medicine work?

• Phenobarbital calms the brain.

How is this medicine given?

• If this medicine is for sleep, give 30-60 minutes before your child's bedtime.

• A liquid (elixir) is available if your child cannot swallow pills.

• Children who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

• Mix with water, milk, or fruit juice.

• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use measuring device that comes with the medicine. If none is available, get an oral syringe, a medicine dropper, a medicine spoon, or a medicine cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.

• Have your child follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this medicine as a sleep aid.

• It may take several weeks to see the full effect in some diseases.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.

• Do not change dose or stop your child's medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Many times this medicine is given on an as needed basis.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.

• Have your child wear a disease medical alert identification.

• If your child has been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid giving your child other medicines and natural products that slow actions and reactions.

• If your child has lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. He/she may be more sensitive to this medicine.

• This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, contact sports) or using items that require concentration or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's activities should be closely monitored until you see how this medicine affects him/her. School work may be more difficult for your child to focus on and complete.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rising slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position is recommended. Children should be extra careful climbing stairs.

• Feeling sleepy, tired or weak, or unable to think clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness until you see how this medicine affects him/her.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• For the occurrence of side effects.

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child shows signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• If your child shows signs of severe dizziness or passes out.

• If your child has significant change in balance.

• If your child has significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• If your child's seizures are worse or different after starting this medicine.

• If your child is feeling extremely nervous and excitable.

• If your child is feeling extremely tired or sleepy.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.

• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.



Created: 2006-10-16 12:25:37.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:13:05.0

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