What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking amobarbital and secobarbital,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amobarbital, secobarbital, or any other drugs.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antihistamines; carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol), clonazepam (Klonopin); disulfiram (Antabuse); felodipine (Plendil); fenoprofen (Nalfon); MAO inhibitors phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate); medication for depression, seizures, asthma, colds, or allergies; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), metronidazole (Flagyl); muscle relaxants; phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin), propranolol (Inderal); rifampin (Rifadin), sedatives; sleeping pills; steroids; theophylline (Theo-Dur); tranquilizers; valproic acid (Depakene); verapamil (Calan); and vitamins. These medications may add to the drowsiness caused by amobarbital and secobarbital.
- This medication can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Use a different method of birth control while taking this medication.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia; asthma; seizures; or lung, heart, or liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking amobarbital and secobarbital, call your doctor immediately.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking amobarbital and secobarbital.
- You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Do not take the missed dose when you remember it. Skip it completely; then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Side effects from amobarbital and secobarbital are common and include:
- drowsiness
- headache
- dizziness
- depression
- excitement (especially in children)
- upset stomach
- vomiting
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nightmares
- increased dreaming
- constipation
- joint or muscle pain
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- mouth sores
- sore throat
- easy bruising
- bloody nose
- unusual bleeding
- fever
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- severe skin rash
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
