Adult Dosing
Short-term treatment of insomnia
Preoperative sedation
- 200-300 mg PO 1-2 hrs before surgery
Notes:- Reduce dosage in elderly/debilitated patients
- Reduce dosage in renal or hepatic impairment
Pediatric Dosing
Preoperative sedation
- 2-6 mg/kg PO 1-2 hrs before surgery
- Max: 100 mg
Note:- Reduce dosage in renal or hepatic impairment
[Outline]
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be started after careful evaluation of the patient; failure of insomnia to remit after 7-10 days of treatment may indicate primary psychiatric and/or medical illness
- Worsening of insomnia, emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder; these events mostly occur with sedative-hypnotic drugs
- In elderly patients, use the lowest effective dose
- Incidences of complex behaviors such as sleep driving have also been reported with the therapy. Concomitant use of alcohol and other CNS depressants may increase the risk of such incidences
- Patients who experience sleep-driving episodes must discontinue the treatment
- Barbiturates may be habit-forming. Tolerance, psychological and physical dependence may occur following prolonged use of high doses
- Abrupt cessation after long-term use may lead to withdrawal symptoms, including delirium, convulsions, and death; taper gradually to discontinue
- To avoid the possibility of overdosage or development of dependence, prescribe the limited dose until the next appointment
- Use cautiously in patients with acute or chronic pain, because paradoxical excitement could be induced or important symptoms could be masked
- Therapy may cause fetal damage when administered to a pregnant woman. Withdrawal symptoms have been reported in infants born to mothers who receive therapy throughout the last trimester of pregnancy
- Concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants may produce additive CNS-depressant effects
- Use cautiously in patients who are mentally depressed, have suicidal tendencies, or have a history of drug abuse
- Consider reduction in doses and use therapy cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment
- Marked excitement, depression, and confusion have been reported in elderly or debilitated patients after receiving secobarbital
- Monitor CBC, LFTs, BUN/serum creatinine in long-term therapy
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Renal impairment
- History of drug abuse
- Elderly patients
Supplemental Patient Information
- Caution patients not to increase the dose of the drug without consulting their physician as it may cause psychological and/or physical dependence
- Advise patients not to perform hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery during treatment
- Inform patients not to consume alcohol while taking secobarbital
Pregnancy Category:D
Breastfeeding: There is limited published experience with secobarbital use during lactation; other agents may be preferred especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 9 June 2011).Manufacturer advises caution.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Seconal 100 MG CAPS [Bottle] (MARATHON PHARMACEUTICALS LLC)
20 mg = $233.98
30 mg = $350.97
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.
Drug Name: Seconal Sodium 100 MG Oral Capsule
Ingredient(s): Secobarbital
Imprint: RX679
Color(s): Orange
Shape: Capsule
Size (mm): 20.00
Score: 1
Inactive Ingredient(s): dimethicone / fd&c red no. 3 / fd&c yellow no. 10 / gelatin / magnesium stearate / pregelatinized starch / titanium dioxide
Drug Label Author:
Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.
DEA Schedule:
CII
