$Unique_ID{BRK02131}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{SECOBARBITAL}
$Subject{secobarbital sodium (various manufacturers)
Seconal (Lilly)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


SECOBARBITAL
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     secobarbital sodium (various manufacturers)
     Seconal (Lilly)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Barbiturate sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT:
     secobarbital
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (100 mg)
     Capsules (50 mg and 100 mg)
STORAGE:
     Secobarbital tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in
       tightly closed containers.

USES

     Secobarbital belongs to a group of drugs known as barbiturates, which are
central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain
and spinal cord).  This medication is used as a sleeping aid in the treatment
of insomnia.

TREATMENT

     You can take secobarbital at bedtime.  The tablets and capsules can be
taken with water, food, or milk.
     You should not use this drug as a sleeping aid for more than two weeks.
With prolonged use, secobarbital loses its ability to induce and sustain
sleep.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, a "hangover" feeling,
headache, nausea, nightmares, stomach upset, or vomiting.  These side effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
chest tightness, confusion, depression, difficulty in breathing, excitation,
fatigue, feeling faint, fever, hives or itching, loss of coordination, muscle
or joint pain, skin rash, slurred speech, sore throat, unusual bleeding or
bruising, unusual weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Secobarbital interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Concurrent use of this barbiturate medication with other central
nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, benzodiazepine
tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and
phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause
extreme drowsiness.
     2. Valproic acid, chloramphenicol, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
can prolong the effects of secobarbital.
     3. Secobarbital can decrease the blood levels and effectiveness of oral
anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), digoxin, tricyclic
antidepressants, cortisone-like medicines, doxycycline, quinidine, estrogens,
oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenytoin, acetaminophen, and
carbamazepine.
     4. The combination of secobarbital and furosemide can cause low blood
pressure and fainting.
     5. Secobarbital can increase the side effects of cyclophosphamide or
large doses of acetaminophen.
     Before starting secobarbital, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to secobarbital or to other barbiturates (such as
amobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, metharbital, pentobarbital,
phenobarbital, and primidone).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute or
chronic (longterm) pain, Addison's disease (caused by an underactive adrenal
gland), diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, mental
depression, porphyria, or thyroid disease.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy during the day, do not
take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or
operating potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Children, the elderly, and very ill patients are more likely to
experience unusual excitement, confusion, or mental depression.
     * Secobarbital has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution.
Tolerance to the medication develops quickly; do not increase the dosage or
stop taking this drug unless you first consult your doctor.  If you have been
taking secobarbital for a long time or have been taking large doses, you may
experience anxiety, muscle twitching, tremors, weakness, dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, insomnia, or blurred vision when you stop taking it.  To avoid or
minimize this reaction, your doctor may want to reduce your dosage gradually.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Barbiturates cross
the placenta, and there has been an association between birth defects and the
use of this class of drugs during pregnancy.  Such drugs may also lead to
bleeding complications in the newborn.  The risks involved with secobarbital
therapy should be discussed with your doctor.  In addition, if secobarbital is
used for long periods during the last three months of pregnancy, there is a
chance that the infant will be born addicted to the medication and will
experience a withdrawal reaction (convulsions, irritability) at birth.  Also,
tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
secobarbital pass into breast milk and may cause excessive drowsiness and
breathing problems in nursing infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
