About PHENOBARBITONE
PHENOBARBITONE belongs to the class of medicines known as ' anti-convulsant drugs', indicated in the treatment of epilepsy and the symptoms associated with it like seizures. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which nerves present in the brain fail to function properly resulting in seizures, sensation, unusual behavior, and even sometimes loss of consciousness.
PHENOBARBITONE consists of Phenobarbital which works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity in the brain thereby prevents and control seizures. Additionally, it calms down the excited chemical of the brain and makes a person relaxed so that the brain can function properly.
Take PHENOBARBITONE as prescribed. PHENOBARBITONE is usually recommended to take before bedtime so that a person can sleep well and medicine can work effectively. Your doctor will recommend you how often you take PHENOBARBITONE based on your medical condition. Some patients taking PHENOBARBITONE may experience unpleasant effects of this medicine that include drowsiness, lethargy, residual sedation, vomiting, and headache. Most of these side effects of PHENOBARBITONE do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Don't increase or decrease the dosing strength of the medicine as the doctor may initially advise a lower dose of this medicine and then gradually increase the dose to prevent the chances of adverse reaction including dizziness, and drowsiness. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease, chronic pain, pituitary gland disorder, and pheochromocytoma. Persons who are allergic to PHENOBARBITONE or any of its constituents or are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin are not allowed to take this medicine.
Uses of PHENOBARBITONE
Epilepsy/ seizures
Medicinal Benefits
PHENOBARBITONE belongs to a group of medications known as anticonvulsants that are used for the treatment of all types of epilepsy except absence seizures. This medicine works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity of the brain that causes seizures. Additionally, it also calms down the exciting chemicals of the brain so that a person feels relaxed. By controlling seizures, PHENOBARBITONE allows a person to do daily activities and also reduces the risk of unconsciousness and repeated seizures.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of PHENOBARBITONE
- Excitation
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
PHENOBARBITONE is not recommended in patients with severe asthma or COPD, severe liver disease, porphyria, or a history of addiction to phenobarbital. Follow the doctor's advice if you are taking this medication in pregnancy as seizure control is important during pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are planning to be pregnant or pregnant. This is a habit-forming medicine so never advise it to anyone. Never start or stop taking this drug without asking the doctor. If a person stops taking it without asking the doctor then they could face withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations, twitching, anxiety, and trouble in sleeping. So dosage should be reduced gradually before stopping it completely.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Some of the medications that can interact with PHENOBARBITONE include anti-inflammatory medication (Aspirin), Opioid medications (codeine, hydrocodone, methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone, tramadol), antiepileptic’s (oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, and sodium valproate), Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine), and Folic acid.. This is not a complete list of drug interactions, so tell your doctor every possible drug, herbal and non-herbal products, you are using.
Drug-Food Interaction: PHENOBARBITONE may interact with alcohol and can cause serious addiction effects, so one should not consume alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The use of the name is restricted in medical conditions, including acute intermittent porphyria, severe respiratory depression, and severe renal or hepatic impairment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeBeing barbiturates, PHENOBARBITONE is a habit-forming medication that can cause drug dependence in them. The risks of dependence get enhanced when coupled with alcohol, so do not drink alcohol to get more reliable results.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedFollow all the directions given by the physician if you are taking PHENOBARBITONE during pregnancy as convulsion control becomes very important during pregnancy, and the occurrence of a seizure could harm both mother and unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, they will suggest the right dose of medicine.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedPHENOBARBITONE can only be given to breastfeeding mothers if strongly suggested by the doctor.
Driving
cautionPHENOBARBITONE may cause drowsiness or dizziness and other symptoms that can affect the thinking ability of a person, so avoid doing such activity.
Liver
unsafePHENOBARBITONE can not be indicated in patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPHENOBARBITONE can only be advised to patients dealing with kidney disorders if strongly suggested by a doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedPHENOBARBITONE is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor. Initially the child feels sleepy, but soon the child will develop tolerance to the unpleasant effects of medication.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
The first thing a person should do is to quit smoking as smoking makes it difficult for PHENOBARBITONE to work properly, increases the chances of epilepsy attacks, and even it damages the lungs. Better to quit it.
Include vegetables and fruit in your diet that are packed with oxidants and improve brain health. This will prevent epilepsy attacks.
Set asleep and waking up time and get about 7-8 hours of sleep.
Fatigue is one of the primary reasons that trigger seizures in the body, so sleeping properly can help in relaxing the brain.
Do not consume alcohol as it may raise the risk of epilepsy attacks.
Keep yourself happy and avoid taking emotional stress as stress causes seizures. Persons who maintain healthy stress levels have reported that they have responded well to the medicine.
Special Advise
Diagnostic tests like Electroencephalogram, High-density EEG, Computerized tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help in diagnosing epilepsy.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: It is a chronic neurological disorder that is followed by repeated seizures. Usually, the neurons present in the brain generate electrical signals to communicate with each other. In epilepsy, these electrical signals get burst and imbalanced that affects the consciousness, sensations, and movements of the body. Some of the factors that can increase the risk of seizure include stress, sleep deprivation, tiredness, and alcohol use. The common symptoms of epilepsy are changes in the sense of taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, dizziness twitching of limbs.
