Phenobarbital - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Phenobarbital is a drug to control and relieve seizures, one of which is due to epilepsy. Phenobarbital or phenobarbital works by controlling electrical activity which abnormality in the nervous system and brain during a seizure.

Apart from being an anticonvulsant, phenobarbital can also be used as a sedative, so it is sometimes used in the treatment of insomnia or insomnia. However, keep in mind if used in the treatment of insomnia, this drug should not be used in the long term. Phenobarbital should not be used indiscriminately and only with a doctor's prescription.

Phenobarbital trademark:Phenobarbital, Phenobarbital Sodium, Phental 100, Sibital 200

What is Phenobarbital

Precautions Before Using Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital should only be used with a doctor's prescription. Before using Phenobarbital you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to phenobarbital.
• Do not use this medication if you have a history of dependence on other tranquilizers, such as diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam.
• Do not consume alcohol or other sedatives while using barbiturate drugs because they can cause dangerous side effects.
• Do not use phenobarbital if you are taking birth control pills or anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, porphyria, pituitary gland disorders, depression, or pheochromocytoma.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had drug abuse or alcohol addiction.
• Do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while you are taking phenobarbital, as this drug can cause dizziness and headaches.
• The use of drugs in children can cause euphoria or an unnatural feeling of joy. Monitor changes in your emotions and behavior during treatment with phenobarbital.
• Be careful using phenobarbital in the elderly. Older users may also experience euphoria or confusion and depression.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements, or herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning any surgery, including dental surgery.
• If an allergic drug reaction or overdose occurs after using phenobarbital, see a doctor immediately.

Phenobarbital Dosage and Rules

The dose of phenobarbital varies in each patient. The doctor will give the dose and determine the length of treatment according to the patient's condition and age. Phenobarbital can be given in the form of oral drugs or injections through a vein (IV/intravenous).

The following is a division of phenobarbital doses based on age and function:

Function: Overcoming seizures in status epilepticus

• Mature: Initial dose of 15-20mg/kgBW IV injection, can be repeated after 10 minutes with additional doses of 5-10mg/kbBW.
• Children: The initial dose is 15-20 mg/kgBW slow IV injection, can be repeated after 15–30 minutes at a dose of 5-10 mg/kgBW.

Function: Overcoming seizures

• Mature: 1–3 mg/kgBW tablet or IV injection, 1–2 times daily.
• Children >12 years old: 1–3 mg/kg body weight orally or by IV injection, 1–2 times a day.
• Children ages 6–12 years: 4-6 mg/kg body weight orally or by IV injection, 1-2 times a day.
• Children aged 1–5 years: 6-8 mg/kg body weight orally or by IV injection, 1-2 times a day.
• Baby: 5-6 mg/kbBB of oral medication or by IV injection, 1-2 times a day.
• Neonates (<28 days): 1–3 mg/kg body weight orally or by IV injection, 1–2 times a day.

Function: Sedative

• Mature: 30–120 mg of oral medication, 2–3 times a day. Dosage is not more than 400 mg per day.
• Children: 2 mg/kg body weight, 3 times a day.

For elderly patients, the dose will be adjusted according to the patient's condition.

How to usePhenobarbital Correctly

Follow the doctor's advice and read the information listed on the medicine package before using phenobarbital. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.

Phenobarbital tablets can be taken before or after meals. Take the phonebarbital tablet with a glass of water to swallow the phenobarbital tablet.

To prevent seizures from recurring in people with epilepsy, phenobarbital must be taken daily. Do not stop taking phenobarbital without your doctor's permission.

For patients who forget to take phenobarbital, it is advisable to do it as soon as remembered, if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.

Injectable phenobarbital should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The doctor will inject phenobarbital according to the patient's condition.

Be sure to check with your doctor regularly while taking phenobarbital so that your doctor can monitor the progress of the condition.

Store phenobarbital in a tightly closed storage area out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and avoid exposure to sunlight.

Phenobarbital Interaction with other drugs

There are several drug interactions that can occur when phenobarbital is used with other medicines, including:

• Decreased effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin and heparin
• Decreased effectiveness of protein kinase inhibitor drugs, such as axitinib, bortezomib, crizotinib, duvelisib, and erlotinib
• Decreased effectiveness of protease inhibitor drugs, such as darunavir, atazanavir, sofosbuvir, and cobicistat
• Increased risk of side effects when used with drugs containing calcium, potassium, or sodium oxide
• Decreased effectiveness of hormone medications, such as birth control pills
• Decreased effectiveness of corticosteroid drugs

• Decreased effectiveness of antifungal drugs, such as griseofulvin

Phenobarbital Side Effects and Dangers

Phenobarbital has the potential to cause a number of side effects, including:

• Dizzy
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nauseous
• Throw up
• Loss of appetite
• Sensitive or irritable
• Feel tired

Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not subside. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug which is characterized by the appearance of an itchy and swollen rash, swollen eyes and lips, or difficulty breathing.

In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience more serious side effects, such as:

• Breathing problems, such as difficulty breathing
• Signs of infection, such as fever, sore throat, chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Abnormal bleeding, such as bruising or bleeding gums
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Irregular heartbeat
• dysarthria
• muscle weakness
• tingling
• Vertigo

For elderly patients, side effects that may appear are disorientation and depression. Meanwhile, for pediatric patients, the possible side effect is that the child becomes hyperactive.