$Unique_ID{BRK03326} $Pretitle{} $Title{secobarbital} $Subject{sodium Seconal Lilly Barbiturate sedative/hypnotic secobarbital barbiturates central nervous system depressants slow activity brain spinal cord sleeping aid insomnia} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. secobarbital ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) secobarbital sodium (various manufacturers) Seconal (Lilly) TYPE OF DRUG Barbiturate sedative/hypnotic INGREDIENT secobarbital DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (100 mg) Capsules (50 mg and 100 mg) STORAGE Secobarbital tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers. USES Secobarbital belongs to a group of drugs known as barbiturates, which are central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain and spinal cord). This medication is used as a sleeping aid in the treatment of insomnia. TREATMENT You can take secobarbital at bedtime. The tablets and capsules can be taken with water, food, or milk. You should not use this drug as a sleeping aid for more than two weeks. With prolonged use, secobarbital loses its ability to induce and sustain sleep. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, a "hangover" feeling, headache, nausea, nightmares, stomach upset, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs. To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about chest tightness, confusion, depression, difficulty in breathing, excitation, fatigue, feeling faint, fever, hives or itching, loss of coordination, muscle or joint pain, skin rash, slurred speech, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Secobarbital interacts with several other types of medications: 1. Concurrent use of this barbiturate medication with other central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness. 2. Valproic acid, chloramphenicol, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors can prolong the effects of secobarbital. 3. Secobarbital can decrease the blood levels and effectiveness of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), digoxin, tricyclic antidepressants, cortisone-like medicines, doxycycline, quinidine, estrogens, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenytoin, acetaminophen, and carbamazepine. 4. The combination of secobarbital and furosemide can cause low blood pressure and fainting. 5. Secobarbital can increase the side effects of cyclophosphamide or large doses of acetaminophen. Before starting secobarbital, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to secobarbital or to other barbiturates (such as amobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, metharbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, and primidone). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute or chronic (longterm) pain, Addison's disease (caused by an underactive adrenal gland), diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, mental depression, porphyria, or thyroid disease. * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy during the day, do not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery. * Children, the elderly, and very ill patients are more likely to experience unusual excitement, confusion, or mental depression. * Secobarbital has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. Tolerance to the medication develops quickly; do not increase the dosage or stop taking this drug unless you first consult your doctor. If you have been taking secobarbital for a long time or have been taking large doses, you may experience anxiety, muscle twitching, tremors, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, or blurred vision when you stop taking it. To avoid or minimize this reaction, your doctor may want to reduce your dosage gradually. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Barbiturates cross the placenta, and there has been an association between birth defects and the use of this class of drugs during pregnancy. Such drugs may also lead to bleeding complications in the newborn. The risks involved with secobarbital therapy should be discussed with your doctor. In addition, if secobarbital is used for long periods during the last three months of pregnancy, there is a chance that the infant will be born addicted to the medication and will experience a withdrawal reaction (convulsions, irritability) at birth. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of secobarbital pass into breast milk and may cause excessive drowsiness and breathing problems in nursing infants. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.