Definition

Phenobarbital overdose is 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

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 may be performed or given:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Laxative
  • Gastric lavage 
  • Monitoring of blood levels and blood chemistries 
  • Giving treatment to increase excretion of the drug from the body
  • Treatment of other symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the symptoms observed by the health care provider.

  • Mild (no further treatment will probably be necessary, but the patient will be monitored in the hospital):
    • The patient can be aroused.
  • Moderate (recovery will probably occur within 24 - 48 hours with proper care):
    • The patient cannot be aroused.
    • Breathing is normal.
    • Other life signs (pulse, skin color, and so on) are normal.
  • Severe (recovery will probably occur within 3 - 5 days, depending on the amount swallowed):
    • The patient cannot be aroused.
    • Breathing and other life signs may be abnormal.
Review Date:5/10/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone, M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.