-
Phenobarbital
Trade Name
Luminal
-
Phenobarbital
Class
- Sedative
- Anticonvulsant
- Long acting barbiturate
-
Phenobarbital
Mechanism of Action
- Phenobarbital is enhances the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA
- Sedative and hypnotic effects of barbiturates appear to be due primarily to interference with impulse transmission of the cerebral cortex by inhibition of reticular activating system.
- Limits the spread of seizure activity by increasing threshold for motor cortex activity
-
Phenobarbital
Indications
- Prevention & treatment activity
- Anxiety
-
Phenobarbital
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Severe liver & respiratory disease
-
Phenobarbital
Adverse Reactions
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Respiratory Depression
- CNS Depression
- Nystagmus
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Bruising at the injection site
-
Phenobarbital
Drug Interactions
- Other anticonvulsants
- CNS Depressants
- MAOI's may potentiate effects
-
Phenobarbital
How Supplied
Specific to protocol (Rhode Island)
-
Phenobarbital
Dosage and Administration
Adult
(None listed)
-
Phenobarbital
Dosage and Administration
Pediatric
- 20 mg/kg IV, at rate <50 mg/min
- May administer additional doses of 5 mg/kg every 20 minutes, as necessary, to control seizure activity
-
Phenobarbital
Duration of Action
- Onset: 3-30 minutes
- Peak Effects: > 15 min
- Duration: 4-6 hours
-
Phenobarbital
Special Considerations
- Pregnancy Safety: Category B
- Has potential for abuse
- Carefully monitor vital signs and be prepared to assist ventilations as necessary.
- Phenobarbital may be substituted for other barbiturates as a method of decreasing the incidence of withdrawal symptoms while weaning patients off barbiturates.
- Use with caution in patients with pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic or renal insufficiency.
- Hypoglycemic seizures should be treated with glucose, not phenobarbital, which will not resolve the hypoglycemic state or prevent CNS injury.
- Use large, stable vein for injection (extravasation may cause tissue necrosis)
|
|
