Phenobarbital overdose

Definition

Poisoning from an overdose of phenobarbital.

Poisonous Ingredient

Phenobarbital

Where Found

• Phenobarbital
  
• Luminal
  
• Solfoton
  
• Barbita
  
• Comizial
  
• Fenilcal
  
• Gardenale
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Respiratory
  o Breathing slowed or stopped
  o Problems breathing
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Weak pulse
  o Low Blood pressure
  
• Skin
  o Blisters
  
• Nervous system
  o headache
  o Slurred speech
  o Unsteady gait
  o Confusion
  o Delirium
  o Coma
  o Excitement
  o Deep sleep
  

Home Treatment
Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
  
• The time it was swallowed
  
• The amount swallowed
  
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Administer activated charcoal.
  
• Administer a laxative.
  
• Use gastric lavage.
  
• Monitor blood levels and blood chemistries.
  
• Give treatment to increase excretion of the drug from the body.