Pentobarbital (injection)

Pentobarbital is used for a short time to treat insomnia or to help you fall asleep before surgery.

Pentobarbital is also used as an emergency treatment for seizures.

Pentobarbital may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use phenobarbital if you have severe liver disease or a history of addiction to drugs like phenobarbital.

You should not use pentobarbital if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a history of porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• temporary or chronic pain; or
• an addiction to phenobarbital or similar medicines.

Pentobarbital may harm an unborn baby. If you use pentobarbital during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Phenobarbital can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Sedatives used during surgery may affect brain development in a young child or unborn baby (when used in the mother), leading to learning or behavior problems later in life. Long surgeries or repeated procedures pose the highest risks.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed shortly after you receive pentobarbital.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Pentobarbital may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• confusion, agitation, hallucinations;
• weak or shallow breathing;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse; or
• feeling light-headed, as if you might pass out.

Side effects like confusion, depression, or excitement may be more common in older adults and those who are sick or weak.

Common side effects of pentobarbital may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• loss of balance or coordination;
• nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• overactive reflexes;
• sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares; or
• feeling restless or excited (especially in children or older adults).

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Pentobarbital may be habit-forming. Never share pentobarbital with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Pentobarbital is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will usually give you this injection.

You may be shown how to use pentobarbital at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

When injected into a vein, pentobarbital must be given slowly.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely after you receive pentobarbital in a hospital setting.

Do not use pentobarbital if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.

Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using pentobarbital.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

Since pentobarbital is usually given only when necessary, you may not have a regular dosing schedule. If you do have a schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help if you think you have taken too much pentobarbital. An overdose of pentobarbital can be fatal.

Pentobarbital can cause side effects that may affect your thinking or reactions. Be cautious if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not drink alcohol. Serious side effects can happen when alcohol is mixed with pentobarbital.

Using pentobarbital with other medications that slow your breathing can lead to serious side effects or even death. Talk to your doctor before taking any opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. Many medications can interact with pentobarbital, particularly:

• doxycycline;
• griseofulvin;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens;
• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
• an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others;
• other seizure medications--divalproex, phenytoin, valproic acid; or
• steroid medicine--prednisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, and others.

This list is not exhaustive, and many other medications may also affect pentobarbital. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all potential drug interactions are listed here.