See Supplemental Patient Information
- Prolonged use may lead to tolerance, psychological and physical dependence; abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use may result in withdrawal symptoms including delirium, convulsions, and possibly death. Therapy should be withdrawn gradually from any patient known to be taking excessive dosage over long periods of time
- Use cautiously in patients who are mentally depressed, have suicidal tendencies, or a history of drug abuse
- Marked excitement, depression, and confusion have been reported in elderly or debilitated patients after receiving pentobarbital
- Rapid administration of pentobarbital IV may cause respiratory depression, apnea, laryngospasm, or vasodilation with fall in blood pressure
- 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
- Consider reduction in doses and use therapy cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment
- This drug is highly alkaline; care should be taken to avoid perivascular extravasation or intra-arterial injection. Extravascular injection may lead to local tissue damage with subsequent necrosis
- Periodic laboratory evaluation of organ systems, including hematopoietic, renal, and hepatic systems should be done in patients who are using pentobarbital for prolonged period of time
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Hepatic impairment
- Elderly patients
- Suicidal tendencies
- Hx of drug abuse
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patient not to performance hazardous tasks including driving and operating machinery during treatment
- Inform patient not to consume alcohol while taking pentobarbital
Pregnancy Category:D
Breastfeeding: Limited information is available about experience with pentobarbital during breastfeeding; 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 6 June 2011). Manufacturer advises caution.
