Health Encyclopedia

Phenobarbital overdose

Definition

Phenobarbital is a medicine used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia. Phenobarbital overdose occurs when someone takes too much of this medicine.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Luminal overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Phenobarbital

Where Found

Other names for Phenobarbital include:

Barbita
Comizial
Gardenale
Fenilcal
Luminal
Solfoton

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Blisters
Breathing problems - slowed or stopped
Confusion
Coma
Delirium
Deep sleep
Excitement
Headache
Low blood pressure
Slurred speech
Unsteady gait
Weak pulse

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Blood chemistries and a blood test to measure the phenobarbital level will also be done.

Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Gastric lavage
Laxative

This list may not be all-inclusive.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the symptoms observed by the health care provider.

Mild -- The patient can be aroused. No further treatment will probably be necessary, but the patient will be monitored in the hospital.
Moderate -- Breathing and other vital signs are normal, but the patient cannot be aroused. Recovery will probably occur within 24 - 48 hours with proper care.
Severe -- Breathing and other vital signs may be abnormal and the patient cannot be aroused. Recovery will probably occur within 3 - 5 days, depending on the amount swallowed.

References

Goldfrank LR, ed. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2006.

Review Date:2/3/2009
Reviewed By:John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Samaritan Regional Health System, Ashland, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.