SUMMARY CMI
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION contains the active ingredient phenobarbital sodium. PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION is used for treatment of grand mal and psychomotor epilepsy and sedation.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to phenobarbital sodium or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
The recommended dose of PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION varies depending on your condition. Your doctor will determine how much is appropriate.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
Things you should do |
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Things you should not do |
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Driving or using machines |
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Drinking alcohol |
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Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
FULL CMI
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION
Active ingredient: phenobarbital sodium
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
2. What should I know before I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
5. What should I know while using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION contains the active ingredient phenobarbital sodium. It belongs to a group of medicines called barbiturates, which act by inducing sleep and stopping convulsions.
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION is used for treatment of grand mal and psychomotor epilepsy and sedation.
2. What should I know before I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
Warnings
Do not use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION if you:
- are allergic to phenobarbital sodium, any other barbiturate or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Do not use if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- porphyria (a rare blood pigment disorder)
- severe anaemia (a disease of the blood with reduced number of red blood cells) if it is due to folate deficiency
- uncontrolled severe asthma
- severe respiratory depression
- uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes
- acute intoxication with alcohol, hypnotics or analgesics
- intoxication with stimulants or depressant psychotropic agents
- alcoholism or drug dependence
- severe liver or kidney problems
- severe depression or suicidal tendencies
- short or long term serious or chronic pain.
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION should not be given to unusually overactive children.
Do not use after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
Do not use if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Check with your doctor if you:
- are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives
- have or have had any other medical conditions or health problems, including:
- high/low blood pressure
- heart problems
- lung problems
- hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland
- hypoadrenalism (borderline), an underfunction of the adrenal gland
- a depressive illness
- asthma. - are a heavy drinker
- have a drug dependency.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant while on treatment with PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. However, it is very important to control your fits while you are pregnant. If it is necessary for you to use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION, your doctor can help you decide whether or not to use it during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you intend to become pregnant.
Your doctor may ask you to:
- undergo a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy prior to starting on this medicine.
- use other effective contraceptive methods instead of the ‘pill’ as this medicine can interact with the oral contraceptive pill making it less effective.
Your doctor will advise you about other possible medication options prior to conception and before contraception is discontinued.
Use during breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
This medicine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk and may cause serious side effects to your baby.
Use in the elderly
Elderly patients are more likely to have less effective kidney or liver function. This may increase the risk of side effects.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION is used.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interact with this medicine. These include:
- other medications used to treat epilepsy
- anticoagulants, medicines used to treat clots eg. warfarin
- painkillers, paracetamol and stronger narcotic agents
- antidepressants, medicines used to treat depression
- anti-arrhythmics, medicines used to treat irregular heart beats eg. quinidine, disopyramide
- antibiotics and antifungal agents, medicines used to treat infections including AIDS
- calcium channel blockers, medicines used to treat high blood pressure and angina
- antipsychotics, medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions
- chemotherapy drugs, used to treat cancer
- corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, cortisone
- medicines used to treat heart failure eg. digoxin
- oral contraceptives
- immunosuppressive medicines, used to lower your body's resistance to disease e.g. cyclosporin, tacrolimus
- medicines used to stop you from feeling pain, e.g. anaesthetic agents
- disulfiram, a medicine used to treat alcoholism
- urinary alkalinisers
- antihistamines, medicines used to prevent or relieve symptoms of allergy
- theophylline, a medicine used to treat asthma
- beta-blockers e.g. propranolol, used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions
- other medications that interact with alcohol.
Some medicines may interfere with PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION and affect how it works.
You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being given PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
4. How do I use PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
How much to use
The recommended dose of PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION varies depending on your condition. Your doctor will determine how much is appropriate.
How long to have it for
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION should be given for as long as recommended by your doctor.
If symptoms persist, see your doctor.
How it is given
Except under unusual circumstances, PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION should be administered by a health care professional.
If too much is given (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have been given too much PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Also report any other medicine or alcohol (including any barbiturates or narcotics) which has been taken. You may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of overdose may include weakness, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, sweating, underbreathing, shock, impairment of consciousness, collapse of circulation, mental confusion and hypotension.
5. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW WHILE USING PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are being given PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
Tell your doctor if you want to take oral contraceptives while being given PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
You may need a higher dose of oral contraceptives than usual to prevent pregnancy or you may need to consider other forms of contraception.
If you need any medical tests while you are being given PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION, tell your doctor as it may affect the results of some tests.
Your doctor may want to take some tests from time to time to help prevent unwanted side effects.
Always discuss with your doctor any problems or difficulties during or after being given PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION.
Things you should not do
Do not use any other medicines while you are being given PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION without first telling your doctor.
Do not drive or operate machinery while being given this medicine.
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people and therefore may affect alertness.
Drinking alcohol
Be careful drinking alcohol while using PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION. If you drink alcohol, it could make some of the unwanted side effects of this medicine worse. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol completely or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink while PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION is being given.
Driving or using machines
Some people may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness and dizziness, which may further affect the risk when driving or using dangerous machinery.
Storage
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION is stored in the pharmacy or on the hospital ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Less serious side effects | What to do |
| Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
Serious side effects | What to do |
| Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
The use of barbiturates may lead to dependence on this medicine.
What PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION contains
Active ingredient (main ingredient) | Phenobarbital sodium 219 mg (equivalent to phenobarbitone 200 mg) per 1 mL ampoule |
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
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Potential allergens | Ethanol. |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION looks like
PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION is a clear, colourless solution in a clear glass 1 mL ampoule.
It is for single use in one patient only.
Available in packs of 5 ampoules (AUST R 175471).
Who distributes PHENOBARBITONE INJECTION
Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia
This leaflet was revised in April 2024.
Published by MIMS July 2024