| name: | Phenobarbital |
| also known as: | Luminal; Primidone; Mysoline; Phenobarbitol; Rx Solfoton |
| also see: | Antiseizure Drugs; Barbiturates; Dilantin; Benzodiazepines; Valproic Acid; Seizure; Febrile Convulsion |
| description: | A seizure is an abnormal electrical discharge within the brain. The main causes of seizures include high fever also called febrile convulsion, brain infection such as bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess, plus fluid and electrolyte imbalance, head injury as well as other causes. They are divided into partial, general, febrile and other categories. Go to seizure and to febrile convulsion for a more detailed description. 1. Partial seizure involves only a part of the brain with either sensory (auditory, visual) hallucinations or motor activity withOUT loss of consciousness. 2. General tonic-clonic seizure involves the entire brain with complete loss of consciousness. Partial seizure can progress to general seizures. Tonic means loss of consciousness and clonic means motor activity. 3. Status epilepticus means continuous seizures without any separation. 4. Absence seizure, also called petit mal seizure, usually occur in children, involve a brief period of staring and loss of consciousness. 5. Febrile seizure, also called febrile convulsion, usually occur in children. 6. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by short episodes of muscle contractions and usually occur as a part of some degenerative brain disorder. Phenobarbital is in the family called barbiturate. They are variously referred to as anxiolytics, antianxiety drugs, hypnotics, and sedatives. In the role of anxiolytics (antianxiety), they have been largely replaced by the benzodiazepines. Like all barbiturates, phenobarbital works as an antiseizure drugs by binding about the GABA receptor prolonging transmission inhibition. It is the drug of choice in treating febrile convulsion, and general grand mal tonic-clonic seizures in children. Although it has been used in the treatment of partial and general tonic-clonic seizures for years, it's overriding sedative effects makes in a second line drug of choice. Primidone (mysoline) is related to phenobarbital. It is used in adults who have partial or general tonic-clonic seizures. |
| signs & symptoms: | Side effects can include drowsiness, sedation, eye movement called nystagmus, atypical psychotic reactions and an unusual hypersensitivity reaction called erythema multiforme (Stevens Johnson Syndrome).. |
| treatment: | Usually given orally. Also see Rx phenobarbital Also see Rx primidone (mysoline) |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If you have questions, problems, or concerns regarding any medication |
| go to: | Go to the phone and ask your pharmacist or your doctor, or go to the doctor. |
Last updated 1/15/2010