Is Phenobarbital a sleeping pill?

Phenobarbital belongs to the class of medications called barbiturates. It is used to treat insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and as a sedative to relieve the symptoms of anxiety or tension.

What are the side effects of phenobarbitone?

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, excitation, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What is phenobarbital used for in children?

Phenobarbital is used to treat infants (ages 0-1 year) with any type of seizure disorder, and other children with generalized, partial or febrile seizures. It is also used for treatment of status epilepticus (seizures lasting greater than 15 minutes).

What is the difference between phenobarbitone and phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital, also known as phenobarbitone or phenobarb, or by the trade name Luminal, is a medication of the barbiturate type. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy in developing countries.

Can phenobarbital cause brain damage?

Especially susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of phenytoin are epileptic children with severe brain damage who are on multiple drugs. In those children, balance disturbance may develop and be followed by gradual loss of locomotion.

Can phenobarbital cause death?

The combination of phenobarbital and alcohol reduces blood pressure and depresses the brain’s centers that help make the heart beat regularly. With a large enough dose, circulation fails. The result is death. The combination is often used in suicide.

Can phenobarbital cure epilepsy?

How well does the Phenobarbital work? Phenobarbital has been used to treat epilepsy since the early decades of the 20th century. It is still commonly used throughout the world because it is both effective and low in cost.

Can phenobarbital affect memory?

Cognitive deficits in adults: Long-term use of phenobarbital is associated with a number of cognitive deficits in adults that can include similar issues with learning and memory, attention and concentration, complex attention, expressive and receptive speech, and problem-solving.

Is phenobarbital a painkiller?

Phenobarbital has little analgesic action at subanesthetic doses. Rather, in subanesthetic doses, this drug may increase the reaction to painful stimuli. All barbiturates exhibit anticonvulsant activity in anesthetic doses.

What is the difference between epilepsy and seizures?

A seizure is a single occurrence, whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.