Phenobarbital tablets

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Drowsiness

Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)

Excitement

Confusion

Blood disorders

Hyperactivity

Disturbances in behaviour

Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)

Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus)

Depressed mood

Allergic skin reactions

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

There is a risk of increased sedation when Phenobarbital is taken with alcohol or sodium valproate. Phenobarbital may decrease the blood levels of: Anti-arrhythmic medications (disopyramide and quinidine) Antibiotics (chloramphenicol, doxycycline, metronidazole and rifampicin) Anti-clotting medications (warfarin and dicoumarol) Anti-epileptic medications (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin and sodium valproate) Blood pressure lowering medications (felodipine, nimodipine and verapamil) Corticosteroids such as prednisolone Ciclosporin Digoxin Fenoprofen Mianserin Oral and depot contraceptives Paracetamol Phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine Phenylbutazone Theophylline and tricyclic antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline. Phenobarbital may decrease the effectiveness of griseofulvin. The effectiveness of phenobarbital may be decreased by other anti-epileptic medication (eg phenytoin) or antidepressants (eg amitriptyline). Phenobarbital may cause the body to need larger amounts of vitamin D. In addition, when phenobarbital is taken with acetazolamide, there is an increased risk of the occurrence of bone softening due to lack of vitamin D.

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