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- $Unique_ID{BRK03168}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{glutethimide}
- $Subject{Doriden USV Sedative/hypnotic sleeping aid glutethimide insomnia
- central nervous system depressant brain spinal cord}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- glutethimide
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Doriden (USV)
- glutethimide (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Sedative/hypnotic (sleeping aid)
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- glutethimide
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (250 mg and 500 mg)
- Capsules (500 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Glutethimide tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in
- tightly closed containers.
-
- USES
-
- This medication is used for short-term treatment of insomnia. It is not
- clearly understood how glutethimide works to produce sleep, but it is a
- central nervous system depressant (a drug that slows the activity of the brain
- and spinal cord). This drug loses its effectiveness in producing and
- maintaining sleep after three to seven days of continuous treatment.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- You can take glutethimide tablets or capsules either on an empty stomach
- or, to avoid stomach irritation, with food or milk (unless your doctor directs
- you to do otherwise). The dose should be taken 15 to 30 minutes before
- bedtime.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Drowsiness during the daytime; dizziness; a "hangover" feeling; headache;
- nausea; and vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body
- adjusts to the medication.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down awhile; change positions slowly, and
- be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- blurred vision; clumsiness; confusion; convulsions; difficulty breathing;
- fever; hallucinations; muscle cramps; nightmares; skin rash; slurred speech;
- sore throat; trembling; unusual bleeding or bruising; or unusual weakness.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Glutethimide interacts with a number of other medications.
- 1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
- (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
- muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
- and other sleeping medications) or with tricyclic anti-depressants can lead to
- extreme drowsiness, and can be dangerous.
- 2. Glutethimide can decrease the blood levels and effectiveness of oral
- anti-coagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin).
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you are already taking any of the
- medications listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to glutethimide.
- * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
- you now have, or if you have ever had, glaucoma; heart arrhythmias; kidney
- disease; severe pain; peptic ulcers; enlarged prostate gland; porphyria; or
- blockage of the intestines or urinary tract.
- * If this medication makes you drowsy or dizzy, or blurs your vision, do
- not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car.
- * This medication has the potential for abuse. Therefore, it should not
- be used in higher doses or for longer periods than recommended by your doctor.
- If you have been taking glutethimide for longer than several weeks, check with
- your doctor before discontinuing it. Stopping abruptly can lead to a
- withdrawal reaction. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually to
- prevent this reaction.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Extensive studies in
- pregnant women using glutethimide have not yet been completed. However, it is
- known that large amounts of the drug taken during the last three months of
- pregnancy can cause the baby to become dependent on the medication, leading to
- withdrawal side effects at birth. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breastfeeding an infant. Small amounts of glutethimide pass into breast milk
- and can cause extreme drowsiness in the nursing infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-