Pentobarbital (By Mouth)

Pentobarbital (pen-toe-BAR-bi-tal)

Treats insomnia (trouble sleeping). Also helps you relax before having surgery or a medical procedure. This medicine is a barbiturate.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to pentobarbital or other barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), if you have porphyria, or if you are pregnant.

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is not for long-term use.
• If you are taking this medicine for insomnia, take it only at bedtime.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using blood thinners (Coumadin®), corticosteroids (cortisone, prednisone), griseofulvin (Grifulvin®), doxycycline (Vibramycin®), medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®), MAO inhibitors (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), or hormones (including birth control pills).
• Do not use any other medicines that make you sleepy (such as sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain killers, or sedatives).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, if you have liver disease, kidney disease, food or drug allergies, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or have any health problems that cause pain.
• Tell your doctor if you feel depressed or have thoughts of suicide.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not take more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• Taking too much of this medicine can cause serious breathing problems. Symptoms of an overdose include: Extreme dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath or shallow breathing, fast heartbeat, and low body temperature.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to use less and less before stopping it completely.
• If you have any of these symptoms after you stop taking pentobarbital, call your doctor right away: Anxiety, trembling or twitching, weakness, trouble seeing, dizziness, confusion, seizures.
• This medicine will make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Muscle weakness or uncontrolled body movements
• Slow heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Unusual thoughts or behavior, confusion, or hallucinations
• Yellow eyes or skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Mild fever
• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.