Nembutal Sodium injection

Generic name: Pentobarbital (injection)
Brand names: Nembutal Sodium
Drug class: Barbiturates

Usage of Nembutal Sodium injection

Nembutal Sodium is used short-term to treat insomnia, or to cause you to fall asleep for surgery.

Nembutal Sodium is also used as an emergency treatment for seizures.

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

Nembutal Sodium injection side effects

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

Nembutal Sodium may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

confusion, agitation, hallucinations;

weak or shallow breathing;

slow heart rate, weak pulse; or

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

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 of Nembutal Sodium 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 may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Nembutal Sodium injection

You should not use Nembutal Sodium 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.

Nembutal Sodium may harm an unborn baby. If you use Nembutal Sodium 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 Nembutal Sodium.

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How to use Nembutal Sodium injection

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

Nembutal Sodium may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine 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.

Nembutal Sodium 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 Nembutal Sodium 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, Nembutal Sodium must be given slowly.

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

Do not use Nembutal Sodium 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 Nembutal Sodium.

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

Warnings

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

What other drugs will affect Nembutal Sodium injection

Using Nembutal Sodium with other drugs that slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Nembutal Sodium, especially:

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 complete and many other drugs may affect Nembutal Sodium. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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