Pentobarbital Oral and Rectal

Pentobarbital, a barbiturate, is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia (to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for a proper rest). It is also used as a sedative to relieve anxiety and induce sleep before surgery. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pentobarbital comes as a capsule and liquid to take by mouth and as a suppository to be used rectally. The capsule or liquid is taken at bedtime as needed for insomnia or two to four times a day for anxiety. Take pentobarbital on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. The suppositories are inserted at bedtime as needed for insomnia or two to four times a day for anxiety. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pentobarbital exactly as directed. Pentobarbital can be habit-forming; do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Do not stop taking pentobarbital without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually. To insert a pentobarbital suppository, follow these steps:

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Remove the wrapper.</li>
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Dip the tip of the suppository in water.</li>
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Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)</li>
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Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch (1.25 to 2.5 centimeters) in infants and children and 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments.</li>
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Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.</li></ul>

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Pentobarbital may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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drowsiness</li>
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headache</li>
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depression</li>
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excitement</li>
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joint or muscle pain</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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skin rash</li>
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itching</li>
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sore throat</li>
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fever</li>
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easy bruising</li>
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bloody nose</li>
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unusual bleeding</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking pentobarbital, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pentobarbital, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), antihistamines, chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin), digitoxin (Crystodigin), diuretics ('water pills'), doxycycline (Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin), medications for depression or seizures, metronidazole (Flagyl), oral contraceptives, propranolol (Inderal), quinidine, rifampin, sedatives, sleeping pills, steroids (for asthma), theophylline (Theo-Dur), tranquilizers, and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have a fever or pain or if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, asthma, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, anemia, a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, or heart or lung problems. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking pentobarbital. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.