What is phenobarbital drug used for?

Phenobarbital is used to control seizures. Phenobarbital is also used to relieve anxiety. It is also used to prevent withdrawal symptoms in people who are dependent (‘addicted’; feel a need to continue taking the medication) on another barbiturate medication and are going to stop taking the medication.

What does phenobarbital do to the brain?

Phenobarbital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system. Phenobarbital is used to treat or prevent seizures. Phenobarbital is also used short-term as a sedative to help you relax.

What is phenobarbital used for in dogs?

Phenobarbital (brand names: Luminal Sodium®, Solfoton®, Tedral®; alternative generic names: phenobarbitone, fenobarbital, phenemalum, phenobarbitalum, phenylethylbarbituric acid, phenylethylmalonylurea) is a barbiturate used to treat seizures and as a sedative in cats, dogs, ferrets, and horses.

How does phenobarbital make you feel?

Phenobarbital may cause you to feel drowsy and unsteady. This often settles down as your body adjusts to the new medicine.

Is phenobarbital a painkiller?

Phenobarbital has little analgesic action at subanesthetic doses. Rather, in subanesthetic doses, this drug may increase the reaction to painful stimuli. All barbiturates exhibit anticonvulsant activity in anesthetic doses.

Are seizures?

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness. Having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart that aren’t brought on by an identifiable cause is generally considered to be epilepsy.

Can phenobarbital affect memory?

Cognitive deficits in adults: Long-term use of phenobarbital is associated with a number of cognitive deficits in adults that can include similar issues with learning and memory, attention and concentration, complex attention, expressive and receptive speech, and problem-solving.

Can phenobarbital cause brain damage?

Especially susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of phenytoin are epileptic children with severe brain damage who are on multiple drugs. In those children, balance disturbance may develop and be followed by gradual loss of locomotion.

Is phenobarbital safe for dogs?

Phenobarbital is a relatively safe and well-tolerated option for dogs with seizures, but your dog will need to have regular blood tests done while taking this medication.

How long can a dog take phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital can cause liver damage (such as scarring in the liver) after prolonged use (over three months). In rare cases, it can even cause liver failure, which is why frequent blood tests are necessary for your vet to monitor the liver function.

Is phenobarbital a sleeping pill?

Phenobarbital belongs to the class of medications called barbiturates. It is used to treat insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and as a sedative to relieve the symptoms of anxiety or tension.

What happens when you stop taking phenobarbital?

No one should stop taking phenobarbital or change the amount they take without talking to the doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause seizures that may be life-threatening. The risk of withdrawal symptoms with phenobarbital makes it especially important to be careful in stopping this medicine.

What is phenobarbital used for?

Phenobarbital es un barbitúrico. Phenobarbital reduce la actividad de su cerebro y sistema nervioso. Phenobarbital se usa para tratar o prevenir las convulsiones. Phenobarbital también se usa como un sedante de corto plazo para ayudarle a relajarse. Phenobarbital puede también usarse para fines no mencionados en esta guía del medicamento.

What is the generic name for phenobarbital?

Generic name: phenobarbital (FEE noe BAR bi tal) Brand name: Solfoton, Luminal Dosage forms: oral elixir (20 mg/5 mL); oral tablet (100 mg; 15 mg; 16.2 mg; 30 mg; 32.4 mg; 60 mg; 64.8 mg; 97.2 mg) Drug class: Barbiturate anticonvulsants, Barbiturates

What is the treatment for phenobarbital overdose?

Phenobarbital, 100 mg tablets. Treatment: After an overdose of a barbiturate, gastric lavage may be considered if undertaken within about 1 hour. Repeated doses of activated charcoal should be given by mouth with the aim of preventing absorption and also aiding elimination; care should be taken to protect the airway.

What are the side effects of phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital side effects. Phenobarbital may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking phenobarbital and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat.