Sodium amytal

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.

Sleepiness

Drowsiness and lightheadedness the next day

Dizziness

Confusion

Agitation

Anxiety

Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)

Headache

Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, nausea or vomiting

Unexpected excitement (paradoxical excitement)

Slower than normal heart beat (bradycardia)

Decreased blood pressure (hypotension)

Slowed breathing

Liver damage

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?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There will be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if amobarbital is taken with any of the following (which can also cause drowsiness) and these should be avoided while you are taking this medicine:

alcohol

antipsychotics, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine

benzodiazepines, eg temazepam, diazepam

MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine

other barbiturates, eg phenobarbital

other sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone

sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine

strong opioid painkillers, eg codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

Amobarbital may increase the breakdown of the following medicines by the liver. As a result it may decrease the amount of these medicines in the blood and so make them less effective. If you are taking any of these medicines with amobarbital your doctor may need to adjust your doses:

anti-blood-clotting medicines (anticoagulants) such as warfarin

beta-blockers such as propranolol

ciclosporin

corticosteroids such as prednisolone

doxycycline

metronidazole

nelfinavir

saquinavir

theophylline

thyroid hormones

tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline

oestrogens and progestogens, for example in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or hormonal contraceptives such as the pill or mini-pill. Amobarbital may make hormonal contraceptives less effective at preventing pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest that you use a non-hormonal method of contraception while you are taking this medicine.

The blood levels of both amobarbital and phenytoin may be altered if these medicines are taken together.

Sodium valproate and valproic acid may increase the blood level of amobarbital and so could increase the risk of its side effects.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain amobarbital sodium as the active ingredient.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved