Definition

Secobarbital overdose is poisoning from an overdose of secobarbital.

Alternative Names

Meballymal; Quinalbarbitone sodium

Poisonous Ingredient

Secobarbital

Where Found

  • Seconal
  • Immenoctal
  • Seral

This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control for instructions.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • The patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the product (ingredients and strengths 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 
  • Blood test to determine amount of drug in the blood
  • Treatment of the 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):
    • 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) 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.