What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking secobarbital,

• Tell  your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to secobarbital; other barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal, in Tuinal), butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital, or phenobarbital;  or any other medications. 
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products  you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following:  anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antihistamines; doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin; Vibra-tabs); griseofulvin (Fulvicin-U/F, Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG ); hormone replacement therapy; monoamine oxidase (MAO)  inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and  tranylcypromine (Parnate); medications for depression,pain,  colds, or allergies; certain medictations for seizures such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Depakene);  muscle relaxants; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone);  sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. 
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had porphyria (condition in which certain natural substances build up in  the body and may cause stomach pain, changes in thinking and behavior, and other symptoms); any condition that causes shortness  of breath or difficulty breathing; or liver disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take secobarbital. 
• tell your doctor if you drink or  have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use  or have ever used street drugs,  or have overused prescription medications.Also tell your doctor if you have ever thought about killing yourself  or tried to do so and if you have or have ever had depression; pain; or kidney  disease.
• Tell  your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking secobarbital, call your doctor. 
• You should know that secobarbital may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, implants, or intrauterine devices). Talk to your doctor about methods of birth control that will work for you while you are taking secobarbital. Tell your doctor  if you have a missed period or think you may be pregnant while you are taking secobarbital. 
• If  you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking secobarbital.
• You  should know that this medication may make you drowsy during the daytime.  Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• Do not drink  alcohol during your treatment with secobarbital. Alcohol  can make  the side effects of secobarbital worse.
• you should know that some people who took medications for sleep got out of bed and drove their cars, prepared and ate food, had sex, made phone calls, or were involved in other activities while partially asleep. After they woke up, these people were usually unable to remember what they had done. Call your doctor right away if you find out that you have been driving or doing anything else while you were sleeping. 

What special dietary instructions should I follow? 

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. 

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Secobarbital is usually taken at bedtime. If you forget to  take secobarbital at bedtime,  you are unable to fall asleep, and you will still be able to stay in bed for a full night's sleep, you may  take secobarbital  at that  time. Do not take a double dose of secobarbital  to make up for a missed dose.