Phenobarbitone
Phenobarbitone Information

About Phenobarbitone

Phenobarbitone is oral and parenteral barbiturate with anticonvulsant and sedative-hypnotic properties. Phenobarbital is the oldest of the commonly used anticonvulsants. Phenobarbitone is also the longest-acting agent in the barbiturate group. In general, Phenobarbitone is effective in all seizure disorders except absence (petit mal). It was regularly prescribed to prevent febrile seizures, but now it is infrequently used for this due to side effects and lack of efficacy. It was first used as an anticonvulsant in 1912, and it was approved by the FDA in 1939. Anticonvulsant action of phenobarbitaone is a combined result of elevating the seizure threshold and inhibiting the spread of discharges from a seizure focus. It inhibits the spread of seizure activity in the cortex, thalamus, and limbic systems, and increases the threshold for electrical stimulation of the motor cortex. There is a decrease in both pre- and postsynaptic excitability.

Indications

Phenobarbitone is primarily indicated in conditions like Benign febrile convulsions of infancy, Epilepsy, Seizures, Short-term treatment of severe congestive heart failure, Status epilepticus.

Contraindication

Phenobarbitone is contraindicated in conditions like Porphyrias,Hepatic disease.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Phenobarbitone, which give rise to further complications include Ataxia, Confusion, Aggression, Irritability, Nystagmus, Mental disturbances.Phenobarbitone produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Agranulocytosis, Aplastic Anemia, Exfoliative dermatitis, Hepatitis. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Phenobarbitone therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Phenobarbitone include Coma and death, Sedation, Stupor.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Phenobarbitone are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Skin rashes, Erythema, Morbiliform.

Warnings

Phenobarbitone should be used with extreme caution in case of severe liver function, pulmonary or cardiac disease, shock or uremia. Administered with caution to patients with borderline hypoadrenal function. During prolong therapy, perform periodic lab.evaluation of organ system, including renal (kidney) and hepatic (liver) system. It should be used with caution (if contains tartrazine) in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity, because may produced allergic reactions (including bronchial asthma).

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, patients suffering from Liver Malfunction, Geriatrics, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.