Amobarbital

(am oh BAR bi tal)

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as an injection.

Pharmacologic Category

• Barbiturate
• General Anesthetic
• Hypnotic
• Sedative

What key warnings should I know about before giving this medicine to my child?

• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with child's healthcare provider.

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to amobarbital or any other part of this medicine.
• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Not if your child has any of the following conditions: Blockage in the airway, liver disease, porphyria, or shortness of breath.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to treat sleep disorders.

How does this medicine work?

• Amobarbital calms the brain.

How is this medicine given?

• This medicine should be used for short periods of time (7-10 days).
• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this medicine.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Many times this medicine is given on an as needed basis.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
• If your child has been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If your child has lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. He/she may be more sensitive to this medicine.
• If your child has a mental health disorder, talk with healthcare provider.
• If your child has a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, contact sports) or using items that require concentration or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's activities should be closely monitored until you see how this medicine affects him/her. School work may be more difficult for your child to focus on and complete.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness or clear vision until you see how this medicine affects him/her.
• Change in balance.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Severe allergic reactions can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Your child will be monitored closely by healthcare provider.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider or emergency department immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.
• If your child has difficulty breathing.
• If your child shows signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• If your child has significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
• If your child is feeling extremely tired or weak.
• If your child develops a rash.
• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• The injection will be given to your child in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.
• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.
• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.

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