Capsules
Amobarbital/secobarbital was previously used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is now prescribed only rarely by doctors, usually for the purpose of sedation.
This medication is actually two barbiturates, amobarbital and secobarbital, in combination. These drugs act on the central nervous system as a powerful sedative.
100 or 200 mg at bedtime.
Within 15 minutes.
From three to eight hours.
The capsules may be crushed and taken with food or liquids.
Store in a tightly sealed container away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Amobarbital/secobarbital is prescribed for once-daily use at bedtime only. If you are unable to take this medication on a particular night, resume only your regularly scheduled dose the following night. Do not double the next dose.
Never stop taking the drug abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms (seizures, sleep disruption, nervousness, irritability, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, memory impairment). Dosage should be reduced gradually, as directed by your doctor.
Barbiturates are habit-forming. Prolonged use of amobarbital/secobarbital increases the risk of dependency. Amobarbital/secobarbital should not be prescribed for long-term therapy because safer and more effective drugs are available.
Adverse reactions may be more likely and more severe in older patients.
The use of amobarbital/secobarbital may impair your ability to perform such tasks safely.
Avoid alcohol completely; the combination of alcohol and barbiturates is potentially lethal.
Discuss with your doctor the relative risks and benefits of using this drug while pregnant.
Do not use this drug while nursing.
This drug is not recommended for children.
Amobarbital/secobarbital is a potentially dangerous drug. Barbiturates should not be used for the treatment of anxiety or stress.
Lethargy, excessive sleepiness, slurred speech, severe clumsiness, difficulty walking, confusion, extremely slow, noisy breathing, loss of consciousness. Some patients may become agitated and unusually excited (paradoxical excitation). Pupils may become very tiny, although with severe overdose the pupils may become very dilated.
Contact emergency medical services (EMS) immediately.
The risk of an undesirable interaction is increased when amobarbital/secobarbital is used with any or all of the following drugs: alcohol-containing medicines, antihistamines, allergy medications, sedatives, antiseizure medications, pain medications (especially prescription pain relievers and narcotics), muscle relaxants, and antidepressants. Use of amobarbital/secobarbital may cause the following to be less effective: blood thinners, birth control pills, and medications similar to cortisone.
No known food interactions.
Patients with kidney or liver disease should avoid amobarbital/secobarbital. The drug may make the following conditions worse: asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases; mental depression; porphyria; and diabetes mellitus.
