Adult Dosing
Sedation
- 30-120 mg/day PO in 2 or 3 divided doses
- Max: 400 mg q24 hrs
Hypnosis
- 100-320 mg PO qhs
- Max: 400 mg q24 hrs
Generalized and partial seizures
Pediatric Dosing
Generalized and partial seizures
- 15-50 mg PO 2 or 3 times daily (tablet) 3-6 mg/kg/day PO (solution)
[Outline]
Renal Dose Adjustment (Based on CrCl)
- >50 mL/min: Give q8-12 hrs
- 10-50 mL/min: Give q8-12 hrs
- <10 mL/min: Give q12-16 hrs
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Mild-moderate impairment: Dose reduction recommended; dose adjustments not defined
- Severe impairment: Contraindicated
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Tolerance and psychological and physical dependence may occur with continued use of therapy. Phenobarbital may be habit forming
- Increased doses or a decreased dose interval may be required in patients who have psychologic dependence
- Do not withdraw therapy abruptly as this may result in withdrawal symptoms, including delirium, convulsions, and possibly death
- Cautiously administer therapy in patients with acute or chronic pain, as paradoxical excitement could be induced or important symptoms could be masked
- Therapy has teratogenic effects when administered to a pregnant woman. Barbiturates readily cross the placental barrier and are distributed throughout fetal tissues. Pregnant women should be warned about the potential hazard to the fetus while taking this drug
- In children taking phenobarbital for complicated febrile seizures, cognitive deficits may occur
- The concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may produce additive CNS depressant effects
Cautions: Use cautiously in
Supplemental Patient Information
- The patient should be warned that increasing the dose of the drug without consulting a physician may increase the risk of psychological and/or physical dependence
- Do not consume alcohol while taking barbiturates
Pregnancy Category:D
Breastfeeding: In infants who were exposed in utero, phenobarbital in breastmilk can decrease withdrawal symptoms but it can also cause drowsiness in some infants, especially when used with other sedating drugs. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 31 August 2011). According to manufacturer data, as small amounts of barbiturates are excreted in the milk, caution should be exercised when phenobarbital is administered to a nursing woman.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- PHENobarbital 32.4 MG TABS [Bottle] (QUALITEST)
100 mg = $16.99
200 mg = $23.98 - PHENobarbital 64.8 MG TABS [Bottle] (QUALITEST)
100 mg = $18.99
200 mg = $27.98 - PHENobarbital 20 MG/5ML ELIX [Bottle] (QUALITEST)
473 5ml = $26.96
1419 5ml = $79.29 - PHENobarbital 97.2 MG TABS [Bottle] (QUALITEST)
100 mg = $20.99
200 mg = $33.98
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
