Pentobarbital (Rectal)

Pentobarbital (pen-toe-BAR-bi-tal)

Treats insomnia (trouble sleeping), and helps you relax. This medicine is a barbiturate.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to pentobarbital or other barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), if you have porphyria, or if you are pregnant.

How to Use This Medicine:

Suppository

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Never take rectal suppositories by mouth.
• Pentobarbital is not for long-term use. If you are using this medicine for insomnia, use it only at bedtime.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medicine. Remove the foil or wrapper from the suppository before inserting it.
• To make the suppository easier to insert, wet it with a small amount of warm water. You may also use a lubricating gel such as K-Y® Jelly, but do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline®).
• Lie on your left side with your left leg straight or slightly bent, and your right knee bent upward. Gently push the pointed end of the suppository into the rectum about 1 inch.
• Keep lying down for about 15 minutes to keep the suppository from coming out. Then, wash your hands again.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using blood thinners (Coumadin®), corticosteroids (cortisone, prednisone), griseofulvin (Grifulvin®), doxycycline (Vibramycin®), medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®), MAO inhibitors (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), or hormones (including birth control pills).
• Do not use any other medicines that make you sleepy (such as sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain killers, or sedatives).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, if you have liver disease, kidney disease, food or drug allergies, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or have any health problems that cause pain.
• Tell your doctor if you feel depressed or have thoughts of suicide.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• Using too much of this medicine can cause serious breathing problems. Symptoms of an overdose include: Extreme dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath or shallow breathing, fast heartbeat, and low body temperature.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to use less and less before stopping it completely.
• If you have any of these symptoms after you stop using pentobarbital, call your doctor right away: Anxiety, trembling or twitching, weakness, trouble seeing, dizziness, confusion, seizures.
• This medicine will make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Muscle weakness or uncontrolled body movements
• Slow heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Unusual thoughts or behavior, confusion, or hallucinations
• Yellow eyes or skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Mild fever
• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.