No

Barbiturate

Short-term treatment of insomnia

C-II

D

CNS depression; hypersensitivity to secobarbital or amobarbital; marked liver impairment; latent porphyria

Safety has not been established in children <6 years of age; potential for drug dependency exists; avoid alcoholic beverages; use with caution in patients with CHF, hepatic or renal impairment, hypovolemic shock

>10%:

Central nervous system: Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, "hangover" effect

Local: Pain at injection site

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Confusion, mental depression, unusual excitement, nervousness, faint feeling, headache, insomnia, nightmares

Gastrointestinal: Constipation, nausea, vomiting

<1%: Hypotension, hallucinations, skin rash, exfoliative, dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, agranulocytosis, megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombophlebitis, respiratory depression

Barbiturates are enzyme inducers. Patients should be monitored when these drugs are started or stopped for a decreased or increased therapeutic effect respectively.

Barbiturates may enhance the hepatotoxic potential of overdoses of acetaminophen

Acetazolamide may decrease absorption of primidone (metabolized to phenobarbital) and reduce clinical effects

Barbiturates may increase the metabolism of some beta-blockers and decrease their clinical effect (atenolol and nadolol unlikely to interact given their renal elimination)

Barbiturates may increase the metabolism of chloramphenicol and chloramphenicol may inhibit barbiturate metabolism; monitor for altered response

Barbiturates may enhance the metabolism (decrease the efficacy) of antipsychotics; monitor for altered response; dose adjustment may be needed

Barbiturates may enhance the metabolism of calcium channel blockers, cimetidine, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, disopyramide, doxycycline, ethosuximide, furosemide, griseofulvin, lamotrigine, phenytoin, propafenone, quinidine, tacrolimus, TCAs, theophylline; dose adjustment may be needed

Barbiturates may increase the metabolism of estrogens and reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives; an alternative method of contraception should be considered

Barbiturates, ethanol, and narcotic analgesics have additive CNS depressant effects

Felbamate may inhibit the metabolism of barbiturates and barbiturates may increase the metabolism of felbamate

Barbiturates may impair the absorption of griseofulvin

MAOIs may inhibit the metabolism of barbiturates

Barbiturates may enhance the nephrotoxic effects of methoxyflurane

Valproic acid inhibits the metabolism of barbiturates; monitor for excessive sedation; a dose reduction may be needed

Barbiturates inhibit the hypoprothrombinemic effects of oral anticoagulants via increased metabolism; this combination should generally be avoided

Barbiturates may enhance the metabolism of methadone resulting in methadone withdrawal

Adults: Oral: 1-2 capsules at bedtime

No information available to require special precautions

No effects or complications reported

See individual agents. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to be pregnant. Breast-feeding is not recommended.

Capsule:

200: Amobarbital sodium 100 mg and secobarbital sodium 100 mg