Butabarbital Sodium Oral tablet 

What  is this medicine? 

BUTABARBITAL (byoo ta BAR bi tal) is  a barbiturate. It  is used to help you relax for sleep.
  
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider  or pharmacist if you have questions. 

What  should I tell my health care provider before I take  this medicine? 
They need to know if you have any of these conditions: 

• acute or chronic pain 
• attempted suicide 
• drug abuse or addiction 
• if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks 
• liver disease 
• lung or breathing disease 
• mental depression 
• porphyria 
• an unusual or allergic reaction  to butabarbital, other barbiturates, tartrazine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives 
• pregnant or trying  to get pregnant 
• breast-feeding 

How should I use this medicine? 

Take this medicine by mouth  with a glass of water.  Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take  your medicine at regular intervals.  Do not take your medicine  more often  than directed.  Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. 

Talk  to your pediatrician regarding  the use of this medicine in children. While this  drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply. 

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction  and need a smaller dose. 

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of  this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. 

NOTE: This medicine  is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others. 

What may interact with  this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications: 

• other barbituates 
• voriconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications: 

• alcohol or medicines  that contain alcohol 
• antihistamines
• doxycycline
• female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills 
• griseofulvin
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate 
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances 
• medicines for sleep 
• muscle relaxants 
• narcotic medicines for pain 
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine 
• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone 
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give  your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs,  or dietary supplements you use. 
Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine. 

What should I watch for while using this medicine? 

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. 

Do not take this medicine unless you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. You may not be able to remember things that you do in the hours after you take this medicine. Some people have reported driving, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while asleep after taking sleep medicine. Take this medicine right before going to sleep. Tell your doctor if you are have any problems with your memory. 

If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a nonmedical reason. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects. 

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks. 

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. 

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine? 

Side effects that you should report to  your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible: 

• agitation, confusion, irritability 
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue 
• breathing problems 
• changes in vision 
• feeling faint, lightheaded 
• fever
• hallucinations 
• low blood pressure 
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth 
• unusual activities while asleep like driving, eating, making phone calls 
• unusual bleeding, bruising 
• unusually weak or tired 
• yellowing of the eyes or skin 

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): 

• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• nausea, vomiting 
• nightmares, trouble sleeping 

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 

Where should I keep my medicine? 

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law. 

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. 

Notes: DrJMinor

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EditText of this page (last edited December 28, 2009)