Phenobarbitone
About Phenobarbitone
Phenobarbitone belongs to a group of medicines known as anticonvulsant drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy and to induce sedation. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures due to uncontrolled electrical activity.
Phenobarbitone contains phenobarbitone as its active component, which helps calm brain activity by enhancing the action of GABA, a chemical messenger in the brain. Thereby, Phenobarbitone helps treat seizures. It also has hypnotic activity, which helps induce sleep.
Common side effects of Phenobarbitone include drowsiness, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, excitement, confusion, hypotension, and dizziness. Most of these side effects are temporary, do not require medical attention, and tend to resolve gradually over time. However, if any of these side effects persist for longer, please contact your doctor immediately.
Before starting treatment with Phenobarbitone, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its components. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. Do not drive or operate machinery, as this medicine may cause sleepiness. Let your doctor know if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or liver/kidney diseases before receiving Phenobarbitone.
Uses of Phenobarbitone
• Seizure Control: Phenobarbitone is used for seizure control, stabilizing nerve activity, and treating specific epilepsy types like grand mal and psychomotor epilepsy.
• Sedative Effect: Phenobarbitone can help in managing insomnia and pre-surgical sedation.
Medicinal Benefits
Phenobarbitone belongs to a group of anticonvulsant medicines known as barbiturates used in the treatment of most types of epilepsy except absence seizures. Phenobarbitone contains phenobarbitone, which works by calming brain activity by mimicking the action of GABA, a natural chemical messenger in the brain. Thereby, it helps reduce seizures and induces sleep.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Phenobarbitone
- Drowsiness
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Hypotension
Drug Warnings
Before starting treatment with Phenobarbitone, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its components. Also, let the doctor know about your health conditions and the medications you are taking to avoid potential interactions. You are recommended to contact your doctor before taking Phenobarbitone if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you have any medical conditions such as liver/kidney problems, myxedema (a severe form of hypothyroidism), diabetes, asthma, CNS depression, high/low blood pressure, or breathing problems. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on treatment with Phenobarbitone.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform the doctor if you are taking anticoagulants (warfarin), anticonvulsants (phenytoin, sodium valproate, clonazepam, carbamazepine, vigabatrin, and ethosuximide), antibiotics (rifampicin, doxycycline), antiarrhythmics (quinidine, disopyramide), corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, cortisone), analgesics (methadone, acetaminophen), cardiac glycosides (digitalis, digitoxin), immunosuppressants (cyclophosphamide, ciclosporin), antifungals (itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), antivirals (indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), and vitamins (vitamin D, folic acid).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Phenobarbitone is not recommended in conditions like porphyria (blood disorder), severe anaemia, uncontrolled severe asthma, severe respiratory depression, uncontrolled diabetes, alcoholism/drug dependence, severe liver/kidney problems, severe depression, suicidal tendency, or chronic pain.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeRefrain from alcohol consumption while receiving Phenobarbitone, as it could lead to increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionPhenobarbitone should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Please consult the doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionPhenobarbitone may pass into breast milk. Therefore, consult your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. Your doctor will prescribe Phenobarbitone only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafeDo not drive or operate machinery during treatment with Phenobarbitone, as it may cause sleepiness.
Liver
unsafePhenobarbitone should not be given to patients with liver issues. If you have any pre-existing history of liver diseases, inform your doctor before receiving Phenobarbitone.
Kidney
unsafePhenobarbitone should not be given to patients with kidney problems. If you have any pre-existing history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before receiving Phenobarbitone.
Children
safe if prescribedPhenobarbitone is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor based on their health conditions.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Refrain from consuming alcohol as it can increase the risk of epilepsy attacks.
- Include fruits and vegetables in your diet that improve brain health.
- Avoid processed food, and maintain hygiene and emotional health.
- Rest well; get about 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Keep yourself happy and avoid taking emotional stress, as stress may cause seizures.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor that you are receiving Phenobarbitone before undergoing any medical check-ups, as it may affect your results.
- An alternative contraceptive method is recommended instead of oral contraceptive pills while receiving Phenobarbitone, as it might lead to reduced effectiveness of the pill.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures due to uncontrolled electrical activity. Symptoms include collapsing, uncontrollable jerking and shaking, stiffness, unusual smells or tastes, and tingling in your arms or legs. Some of the factors that can increase the risk of seizure are stress, tiredness, and alcohol use.
FAQs
Phenobarbitone is used to treat epilepsy. It helps prevent most types of seizures except absence seizures. Additionally, it also has hypnotic properties.
Phenobarbitone works by calming brain activity by enhancing the action of a natural chemical messenger in the brain (GABA). Thereby, it helps treat seizures.
Yes, Phenobarbitone may be habit-forming on long-term use. Therefore, you are advised to use Phenobarbitone only according to the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Also, talk to a doctor before completely stopping the treatment regimen.
Phenobarbitone causes side effects such as drowsiness, feeling tired, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and hypotension. Contact a doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
You are recommended not to stop taking Phenobarbitone even if you feel better, as stopping the treatment may result in an increase or recurrence of seizures. Therefore, continue to take Phenobarbitone for the prescribed duration.
Phenobarbitone should be stored in temperatures between 15°C to 25°C. Do not freeze. Keep it protected from light and out of reach of children.
