What are the risks of taking phenobarbital?

What should I tell my doctor before taking phenobarbital?

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to phenobarbital or any ingredients in the tablets or elixir. Your pharmacy can provide you with a list of ingredients. Also, tell your doctor if you have an allergy to any other barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital, or any other medications. 

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history, especially if you have ever had liver disease, kidney disease, adrenal gland disease, breathing problems, or a condition called porphyria. Also, tell your doctor if you suffer from acute or chronic pain, depression, or have ever had thoughts of harming or killing yourself.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse (street drugs or prescription drugs) or if you have ever consumed large amounts of alcohol. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Phenobarbital can be harmful to the baby if you take it during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, phenobarbital can pass into breast milk. If your doctor decides to treat you with phenobarbital while breastfeeding, you will need to watch your baby for drowsiness or poor growth signs.

If you are over 65 years of age, discuss the risks versus benefits of taking phenobarbital with your doctor. There may be other safer medications available to treat your condition. 

Tell your healthcare providers you are on phenobarbital before undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.

You should be aware that because of its pharmacokinetics, phenobarbital can make hormonal contraceptives less effective because of its pharmacokinetics. This includes oral contraceptives (birth control pills), patches, implants, rings, injections, and intrauterine devices. Patients treated with phenobarbital should get their doctor’s advice about appropriate birth control methods. 

What precautions should I take while taking phenobarbital?

Keep all your appointments at your doctor’s office. Your doctor may order lab tests to check phenobarbital blood levels and adjust your dose. 

Make a list of all your medications and take it to every healthcare appointment.

Tell your doctor if you miss your period or become pregnant while taking phenobarbital.

Phenobarbital can make you drowsy and dizzy. Do not drive or do anything that requires focus until you know how it affects you. You should know that drinking alcohol can worsen the drowsiness caused by phenobarbital.

What are phenobarbital interactions?

Taking phenobarbital with certain other drugs can affect how the medication works or increase the risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may choose a different medication, change the dose or frequency of your medicines, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known drug interactions. 

There can be drug interactions between phenobarbital and the following medications:

All possible drug interactions of phenobarbital are not included in this list. Give your healthcare provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.