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| Pronunciation |
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 (pen
toe BAR bi
tal) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Nembutal® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Anticonvulsant, Barbiturate; Barbiturate |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to another barbiturate, pentobarbital, or any
other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Severe liver disease,
shortness of breath, a blockage in the airway,
porphyria.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used as a calming agent or as a short-term sleeping
agent.
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| How does it work? |
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- Pentobarbital slows the brain. It causes you to be calm and
sleepy.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- A liquid (elixir) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given.
- Can give elixir with water, milk, or juice.
- Take 30-60 minutes before bedtime for sleep. Do not take for more than
2 weeks. It loses its effect.
- Use suppository rectally.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- When taken for sleep may be on an as needed basis.
- If used for sleep, it is taken on an as needed basis.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
sleepy and shaky.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Make sure you have enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Talk to
nutritionist.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be very
sensitive to this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling tired and sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Unable to think clearly or concentrate on an activity; recent memory
loss.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing
stairs.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Difficulty breathing.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store capsules and elixir at room temperature.
- Store suppositories in a
refrigerator.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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