Brand & Generic Names

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Sedative, hypnotic (barbiturate)

Uses

• Reduces anxiety or nervous tension (low dose).
• Reduces likelihood of seizures in epilepsy.
• Aids sleep at night.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Elixir--Swallow with liquid.
Rectal Suppositories--Remove wrapper and moisten suppository with water. Gently insert into rectum, large end first. If suppository is too soft, chill in refrigerator or cool water before removing wrapper.
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
May partially block nerve impulses at nerve-cell connections.

Time lapse before drug works:
60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Deep sleep, trouble breathing, weak pulse, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Dizziness, drowsiness, "hangover" effect.

Infrequent:

• Rash or hives; face, lip or eyelid swelling; sore throat; fever.
• Depression, confusion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, joint or muscle pain, slurred speech, hallucinations, headache, decreased sex drive.

Rare:

• Agitation, slow heartbeat, difficult breathing, jaundice, chest pain.
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any barbiturate.
• You have porphyria.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have epilepsy.
• If you have kidney or liver damage.
• If you have asthma.
• If you have anemia.
• If you have chronic pain.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Use small doses.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under doctor's supervision.

Prolonged use:

• May cause addiction, anemia, chronic intoxication.
• May lower body temperature, making exposure to cold temperatures hazardous.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood sugar, kidney function.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
If you become addicted, don't stop taking barbiturates suddenly. Seek medical help for safe withdrawal.

Others:

• May affect results in some medical tests.
• Barbituate addiction is common. Withdrawal effects may be fatal.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

Possible Interaction with Other Substances