Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library phenobarbital

phenobarbital

Pronunciation: FEE noe BAR bi tal

Phenobarbital

slide 1 of 15, Phenobarbital,

15 mg, round, white, imprinted with West-ward 445

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 1 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 2 of 15, Phenobarbital,

30 mg, round, white, imprinted with West-Ward 450

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 2 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 3 of 15, Phenobarbital,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with WW 455

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 3 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 4 of 15, Phenobarbital,

100 mg, round, white, imprinted with WW 458

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 4 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 5 of 15, Phenobarbital,

16.2 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5011 V

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 5 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 6 of 15, Phenobarbital,

32.4 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5012 V

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 6 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 7 of 15, Phenobarbital,

64.8 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5013 V

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 7 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 8 of 15, Phenobarbital,

97.2 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5014 V

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 8 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 9 of 15, Phenobarbital,

100 mg, round, white, imprinted with EP 903

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 9 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 10 of 15, Phenobarbital,

100 mg, round, white, imprinted with RX 744

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 10 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 11 of 15, Phenobarbital,

15 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5011 V

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 11 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 12 of 15, Phenobarbital,

30 mg, round, white, imprinted with West-Ward 450

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 12 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 13 of 15, Phenobarbital,

32.4 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5012, V

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 13 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 14 of 15, Phenobarbital,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with EP 902

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 14 of 15

Phenobarbital

slide 15 of 15, Phenobarbital,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with LILLY J37

Image of Phenobarbital
slide 15 of 15
What is the most important information I should know about phenobarbital?

What is the most important information I should know about phenobarbital?

You should not use phenobarbital if you have severe liver disease, severe asthma or COPD, a personal or family history of porphyria, or a history of addiction to drugs similar to phenobarbital.

What is phenobarbital?

What is phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital is a barbiturate (bar-BIT-chur-ate). Phenobarbital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Phenobarbital is used to treat or prevent seizures. Phenobarbital is also used short-term as a sedative to help you relax.

Phenobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenobarbital?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenobarbital?

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to phenobarbital or other barbiturates (Nembutal, Seconal, and others), or if you have:

  • severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
  • a personal or family history of porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
  • severe liver disease; or
  • a history of addiction to phenobarbital or similar medicines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and others).

To make sure phenobarbital is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver disease;
  • temporary or chronic pain;
  • a pituitary gland disorder;
  • pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
  • kidney disease;
  • a food or drug allergy;
  • a condition for which you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).

Follow your doctor's instructions about taking seizure medication if you are pregnant. Seizure control is very important during pregnancy, and having a seizure could harm both mother and baby. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

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.

It is not known whether phenobarbital passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take phenobarbital?

How should I take phenobarbital?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Phenobarbital may be habit-forming. Never share phenobarbital 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.

Do not change your phenobarbital dose without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if the medicine does not seem to work as well in treating your condition.

If you are taking phenobarbital to treat seizures, keep taking the medicine even if you feel fine.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Phenobarbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of phenobarbital can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, weak pulse, cold or clammy skin, little or no urination, pinpoint pupils, feeling cold, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking phenobarbital?

What should I avoid while taking phenobarbital?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What are the possible side effects of phenobarbital?

What are the possible side effects of phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking phenobarbital and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • weak or shallow breathing;
  • unusual pain anywhere in your body (especially in the neck, shoulder, or arms);
  • a red blood cell disorder --pale skin, muscle weakness, diarrhea, weight loss, rapid heart rate, tongue swelling, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, feeling short of breath; or
  • severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Side effects such as confusion, depression, or excitement may be more likely in older adults and those who are ill or debilitated.

Common side effects may include:

  • drowsiness, lack of energy;
  • dizziness or spinning sensation;
  • depressed mood;
  • feeling restless or excited (especially in children or older adults);
  • drunk feeling; or
  • "hangover" effect (drowsiness the day after taking phenobarbital).

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

What other drugs will affect phenobarbital?

What other drugs will affect phenobarbital?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking phenobarbital with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with phenobarbital, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about phenobarbital.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details