pentobarbital Health Article

Generic name(s):

pentobarbital

Brand name(s):

Nembutal, Nembutal Sodium

What is the most important information I should know about pentobarbital?

Call your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, a sore throat, sores in your mouth, broken blood vessels under your skin, or easy bruising or bleeding. These could be early signs of a serious side effect.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pentobarbital will cause drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness, avoid these activities. Do not drink alcohol or take other sleep medicines, antihistamines, narcotic pain relievers, or other drugs that also cause drowsiness unless your doctor approves. Dangerous sedation could result. Pentobarbital may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking pentobarbital to prevent pregnancy.

What is pentobarbital?

Pentobarbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates (bar bi TURE ates). Pentobarbital depresses the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Pentobarbital is used to treat insomnia (for up to 2 weeks) and to induce sleep before surgery.

Pentobarbital may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take pentobarbital?

Do not take pentobarbital if you have

• porphyria,

• liver disease,
• kidney disease, or

• severe respiratory disease such as severe asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have ever had a drug or alcohol addiction in the past. Pentobarbital is habit forming, which means that you can become addicted to it.

Pentobarbital is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take pentobarbital if you are pregnant. Pentobarbital passes into breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Do not take pentobarbital without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Pentobarbital may cause excitement, irritability, aggression, depression, or confusion-- particularly in children and in adults over 60 years of age. Lower doses and close monitoring may be necessary.

How should I take pentobarbital?

Take pentobarbital exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

The suppositories are for rectal use. Ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor for instructions if you do not know how to insert a suppository.

To treat insomnia, pentobarbital is usually taken just before bedtime. Take your dose when you are ready to get into bed, or not long before, so that if you become sleepy, you will not fall or become confused and accidentally injure yourself. Pentobarbital should not be used for longer than 2 weeks to treat insomnia.

To cause sedation, pentobarbital may be taken several times a day at regular intervals, or shortly before surgery.

Do not increase your dosage of this medicine without the approval of your doctor. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor. Store pentobarbital at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a pentobarbital overdose include difficulty breathing, back-and-forth movements of the eyes, appearance of being drunk, fast heartbeat, low body temperature, heavy sedation, coma, and death.