Now, few people know what phenobarbital is, although this substance is part of many popular drugs. Many people have been taking Corvalol or Valocordin for years without knowing what ingredients these drugs contain. Indeed, recently phenobarbital was classified as a dangerous drug and banned in some countries. And funds based on it began to gradually disappear from sale. Now the drug "Phenobarbital" and its analogues are used only on prescription. After all, this is one of the most effective anticonvulsants and sedatives.
What is phenobarbital
This is a substance from the group of barbiturates. It reduces the excitability of brain neurons and the propagation of nerve impulses in epilepsy. When exposed to it, the flow of calcium ions into the cell increases, which helps to reduce motor activity and reduce the tone of smooth muscles.
This substance was first obtained at the beginning of the 20th century in Germany. Phenobarbital appeared on sale under the name "Luminal". It was the most popular sleeping pillthere were no drugs from the group of benzodiazepines. In recent years, many countries have banned the production of phenobarbital. In Russia, preparations based on it are on sale, but only by prescription.
Phenobarbital is now mainly used in the treatment of epilepsy. Its analogues and products containing this substance in small quantities can be prescribed for less serious conditions, such as overexcitation or insomnia.
The narcotic effect of this substance is special: it does not cause euphoria, only drowsiness and apathy. In addition, taking phenobarbital leads to a very strong addiction. But its unhe althy popularity as a drug is due to its cheapness and availability.
Phenobarbital-based drugs
A drug with this name is mostly familiar to patients with convulsive syndrome or severe sleep disorders. But you can buy drugs that include phenobarbital. The most famous are Corvalol and Valokorin. They are inexpensive and very popular as sleeping pills and sedatives, especially among the older generation.
Less popular drugs are:
- "Lavocordin", in addition to phenobarbital, contains an extract of valerian, mint oil and hops.
- "Neo-Teofedrin" is an antispasmodic, used for bronchial asthma, contains theophylline, caffeine, ephedrine, paracetamol.
- Pagluferal is an antiepileptic drug based on phenobarbital.
- Pentalgin-N is a narcotic analgesic.
- Piralgin is a combined non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
- Tetralgin is an analgesic and antispasmodic drug.
- "Andipal" - used as a vasodilator for hypertension.
Features of action
Phenobarital-based drugs have long been used in medicine. They are prescribed even to children, as they have unique properties. With some pathologies, only with their help can the patient be helped. The action of phenobarbital extends only to smooth muscles and neurons, without affecting the cardiovascular system. After taking such drugs inside, the following effects are observed:
- the intensity of metabolic processes is slightly reduced;
- motor activity decreases;
- the tone of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract decreases;
- increases the detoxification function of the liver;
- the concentration of bilirubin in the blood decreases.
Phenobarbital is widely used in medicine due to the fact that it has anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic and antispasmodic effects. It is used in emergencies, as long-term use is highly addictive.
Phenobarbital: indications for use
Now drugs based on it are used only in serious cases. They are no longer prescribed for ordinary insomnia. Indications for the use of this remedy are the following conditions:
- epilepsy in any form;
- variousconvulsions;
- chorea;
- meningitis, tetanus;
- alcohol withdrawal;
- spastic paralysis;
- severe insomnia;
- various mental disorders;
- re-arousal, anxiety state.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that Phenobarital has very serious indications, not all patients can receive such treatment. Taking drugs based on this substance is contraindicated in such cases:
- with serious violations of the liver and kidneys;
- myasthenia gravis;
- anemia;
- diabetes;
- depression;
- when the immune system is weakened;
- bronchial asthma;
- alcoholism;
- individual intolerance;
- during pregnancy and lactation.
Side effects
Preparations containing phenobarbital are classified as narcotic substances. In addition to being highly addictive, even with short-term use, side effects are possible:
- general weakness, dizziness, asthenia;
- retardation, impaired speech;
- hallucinations, nightmares;
- depression;
- sleep disorders;
- decrease in visual acuity;
- dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, bowel dysfunction;
- thrombocytopenia, anemia;
- palpitations, heart failure;
- lower blood pressurepressure;
- rash, swelling, dermatitis, pruritus;
- shortness of breath.
Instructions for use
"Phenobarbital" and drugs similar in composition are available in the form of tablets of 100 and 50 mg for adults and 5 mg for children. Depending on the indications and the mode of administration, the doctor prescribes a different dosage. As a hypnotic drug, you need to drink 100 mg an hour before bedtime. If "Phenobarbital" was prescribed for regular use by a patient with epilepsy, he is recommended 50-100 mg twice a day. As a sedative, preparations based on this substance are taken at a dosage of 50 mg 2-3 times a day. A dose reduction is recommended for the elderly, as well as patients with impaired liver and kidney function.
Children "Phenoarital" prescribed according to strict indications. The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the age and condition of the patient. Assign the drug half an hour before meals 2 times a day. The dosage is usually as follows: up to 6 months, 5 mg, up to a year - 10 mg, 1-2 years - 20 mg, up to 4 years - 30 mg, up to 7 years - 40 mg, 7-10 years - 50 mg, up to 14 years - 75 mg. After this age, the dosage of the drug is already an adult.
If taken regularly, stop treatment gradually. With the abrupt withdrawal of drugs based on phenobarbital, depression, insomnia, and headaches often develop. Dependence develops after two weeks of regular use, so it is not recommended to use it as a sleeping pill and sedative for more than 10 days.
Special instructions for use
Many do not know what phenobarbital is, but they calmly take drugs based on it. Some of them are sold without a doctor's prescription, and people do not even know what a serious drug they are using. Therefore, it is advisable to always study the composition and instructions before using each drug. When using preparations containing phenobarbital, it is desirable to take into account the following features:
- this substance accumulates in the body and is addictive;
- treatment with such drugs should be stopped gradually, as a "withdrawal syndrome" often occurs;
- with regular use, you can not drive a car and engage in activities that require attention and a good reaction;
- when taken simultaneously with oral contraceptives, antibiotics and antifungal agents, their effectiveness decreases;
- this substance also reduces the absorption of glucocorticosteroids, anticoagulants, salicylates and estrogens;
- when taken simultaneously with alcohol or antidepressants, depression of the functions of the central nervous system may develop;
- this substance enhances the effect of analgesics, muscle relaxants and sedatives;
- the hypnotic effect of phenobarbital is reduced when taken simultaneously with belladonna preparations, atropine, thiamine, nicotinic acid and psychostimulants;
- it is strictly forbidden to take such drugs during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, as this leads to a violation of blood clotting in the child and to the appearancebleeding;
- The use of phenobarbital during lactation causes depression of the nervous system in the baby.
Analogues of the drug
Few people know what Phenobarbital is in tablets. Most often, analogues of this tool are used. The most famous of them has long been Luminal. But lately it has been used less and less. The following means are now more common:
- Topirol.
- Zeptol.
- Barbital.
- "Doxylamine".
- "Etaminal-sodium".
- Orfiril.
- Gabagamma.
- "Depakin".
- "Phenazepam".
Phenobarbital Reviews
Most doctors oppose prescribing this drug to children under 6 years of age. But phenobarbital is still quite often used even at this age. Reviews about such treatment are contradictory. Many note a large number of side effects. For example, in patients memory worsens, depression develops. Others speak positively about the drug, believing that the main thing is to follow the dosage and follow all the doctor's recommendations. Patients like that drugs based on phenobarbital are cheap (a package costs about 20 rubles), and they have a good hypnotic effect. But such pills are dispensed by prescription.
