NeurovalOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Neuroval

Uses
This medication is used alone or with other medications to control certain types of seizure problems (e.g., grand mal and partial seizures). Controlling seizures helps prevent injury from falling and allows you to lead a more normal life. Phenobarbital belongs to a class of drugs known as barbiturate anticonvulsants/hypnotics. It works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that occurs during a seizure. This medication is also used for a short time (2-4 weeks) to help calm you during periods of anxiety. It works for anxiety by affecting certain parts of the brain to cause calming.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.
It is against the law.Keep all medical appointments so that your doctor can monitor your progress or check for side effects.
For long-term use, laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, liver/kidney tests, phenobarbital blood levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: dizziness, fainting, inability to wake up (coma), slowed breathing, bluish/cold skin.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 1-3 times daily or as directed by your doctor.
If you are taking the elixir, carefully measure your dose using a medication-measuring device or spoon.
Do not use a household spoon.
Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, phenobarbital blood levels, and response to therapy.It may take several weeks before the medication controls your seizures.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level.
Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other anti-seizure medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other anti-seizure medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause seizure control to worsen, cause a very severe seizure that is difficult to treat (status epilepticus), or worsen side effects.If you are taking this medication for anxiety, take it only when needed to get the most benefit from it.
Phenobarbital will not work as well for anxiety if taken regularly for more than 2 weeks.
Do not take more of this medication than prescribed.
Doing so may increase side effects.This medication may cause dependence when used for anxiety, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time and if it has been used in high doses.
In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., anxiousness, muscle twitching, shakiness, dizziness, worsening weakness, nausea, vomiting) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug.
Withdrawal from phenobarbital can be severe and include seizures and (rarely) death.
To prevent withdrawal reactions when stopping extended, high dose, regular use with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.Though very unlikely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication.
To lessen the risk of becoming addicted, do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed.
Properly stop the medication when so directed.When used for an extended period for anxiety, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing.
Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects

Dizziness, sleepiness, drowsiness, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or staggering walk/clumsiness may occur when you first start taking the medication, but tend to disappear over time (usually in a few weeks).
Less common side effects may include headache, constipation, nightmares, and increased dreaming.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, agitation, hallucinations, anxiety, inability to think clearly/quickly), slow heartbeat, fainting.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of liver problems (e.g., persistent nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, chalky white stools, brown urine, severe tiredness, weakness, severe loss of appetite, yellow eyes/skin, itchiness), bone pain/breaks.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking phenobarbital, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: sleep apnea, severe lung problems (e.g., severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), porphyria, severe liver disease, alcoholism.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: illegal drug use, persistent pain problems, liver problems, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, thoughts of suicide), certain kidney problems (e.g., nephritis, decreased kidney function).This drug causes drowsiness.
Do not drive, use machinery, or perform any activity that requires alertness.
Do not use alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.
Doing so increases serious side effects (inability to wake up, slowed breathing) and may cause death.Phenobarbital should not be used for anxiety in the elderly because they are more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially confusion and dizziness.This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
It may harm an unborn baby.
Consult your doctor for more details.
Since birth control pills may not be effective if taken with this medication (see also Drug Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of birth control with your doctor.
If you become pregnant while taking this medication, notify your doctor immediately.This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this medication to prevent seizures and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose.
In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: darunavir, delavirdine, sodium oxybate, voriconazole.Some other drowsiness-causing medications may cause serious (possibly fatal) slowed breathing when taken with higher doses of phenobarbital.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take other drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting phenobarbital.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: warfarin, estrogens, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone), quinidine, felodipine, metronidazole, doxycycline, griseofulvin, phenytoin, valproic acid, theophylline, MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, selegiline).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use any other prescription and nonprescription products that cause drowsiness such as certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) and anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.
Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills.
This can result in pregnancy.
You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details (see also Precautions section).

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.