Therapeutic Action
Antiseizure (antiepileptic), sedative
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Individual generic drug information
Extracted information for PHENOBARBITAL only.
Antiseizure (antiepileptic), sedative
Source page 249
Epilepsy: generalised tonic-clonic seizures and focal (partial) seizures
Source page 249
Extracted information for PHENOBARBITAL only.
Do not administer to patients with severe impairment of respiratory, renal or hepatic function (risk of accumulation). Administer with caution in children, older patients and patients with mild to moderate impairment of respiratory, renal or hepatic function. May cause: drowsiness (caution when driving/operating machinery), dizziness, headache, behavioural disturbances; respiratory depression, hypotension; vitamin D deficiency (consider supplementation), osteoporosis, haematologic disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances; rarely: hypersensitivity reactions (including severe cutaneous reactions such as Stevens- Johnson, Lyell and DRESS syndromes). In these cases, stop treatment. Early symptoms such as fever, rash, mouth ulcers and bleeding require immediate medical attention. Avoid or monitor the combination with: mefloquine (reduced effect of PB); drugs containing alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioid analgesics, antipsychotics, first-generation antihistamines (hydroxyzine, promethazine), antidepressants, other antiseizure medications, etc. (increased sedation). Use with extreme caution with benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics (increased risk of respiratory depression). PB may reduce the effect of many drugs: diazepam, midazolam, antimicrobials, some antiretrovirals, corticosteroids, tricyclic antidepressants, itraconazole, direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C, warfarin, etc. Adjust dosage if necessary. implants and oral contraceptives: use injectable medroxyprogesterone or an intrauterine device. Avoid alcohol during treatment (increased risk of adverse effects). Pregnancy: avoid (risk of facial and cardiac malformations, hypospadias, small for gestational age). In case of pregnancy during treatment, prefer a safer drug (levetiracetam). If PB is the only option, provide counselling about the risks to the child; use the lowest effective dose. Administer folic acid high dose (5 mg daily) during the first trimester. Start as soon as possible, including during the preconception period in case of planned pregnancy. PB plasma concentrations may decrease during pregnancy. Monitor clinical response; increase dose if needed then resume the usual dose after delivery. Monitor the child for a few days (risk of accumulation and drowsiness or withdrawal symptoms). Breast-feeding: administer with caution (excreted in milk); reduce the dose if increased during pregnancy and monitor the child (risk of drowsiness, lethargy and poor feeding).
Source pages 249, 250
Extracted information for PHENOBARBITAL only.
60 mg tablet
Source page 249
Start with a low dose then increase gradually based on patient's response and tolerance. Child 1 month to 11 years: start with 2 to 3 mg/kg once daily at bedtime or 1 to 1.5 mg/kg 2 times daily for 2 weeks; increase the daily dose by increments of 1 to 2 mg/kg every week, up to 2 to 6 mg/kg once daily if necessary. Child 12 years and over and adult: start with 1 mg/kg (max. 60 mg) once daily at bedtime for 2 weeks; increase the daily dose by increments of 15 to 30 mg every week, up to 3 mg/kg once daily if needed (max. 180 mg daily).
Source page 249
As long as required. Do not stop treatment abruptly, even if changing to another antiseizure medication.
Source page 249
Extracted information for PHENOBARBITAL only.
PB is subject to international controls: follow national regulations. PB is not recommended for absence seizures (risk of worsening symptoms). Plasma concentrations are stable after 2 to 3 weeks. Caution: risk of accumulation. Also comes in 15 mg and 30 mg tablets.
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– Below 25 °C
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Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.
start with 2 to 3 mg/kg once daily at bedtime or 1 to 1.5 mg/kg 2 times daily for 2 weeks; increase the daily dose by increments of 1 to 2 mg/kg every week, up to 2 to
Candidate age grouping · source page 249
start with 1 mg/kg (max. 60 mg) once daily at bedtime for 2 weeks; increase the daily dose by increments of 15 to 30 mg every week, up to 3 mg/kg once daily if needed (max. 180 mg daily).
Candidate age grouping · source page 249