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Mephobarbital Side Effects

Applies to mephobarbital: oral tablet.

Warning

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to mephobarbital or to other barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

Before taking mephobarbital, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, anemia, heart disease, asthma or other breathing disorder, or a history of depression, mental illness, suicide attempt, or drug/alcohol addiction.

Do not use mephobarbital without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Mephobarbital can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking mephobarbital.

Mephobarbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Mephobarbital should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking mephobarbital: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

Less serious side effects of mephobarbital may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to mephobarbital: oral tablet.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including primarily somnolence (1% to 3%) have been reported. Agitation, confusion, hyperkinesia, ataxia, CNS depression, nightmares, nervousness, psychiatric disturbance, hallucination, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, and abnormal thinking have all been reported to occur in less than 1% of treated patients. Headache has been reported with chronic use.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including hypoventilation and apnea have been reported to occur in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including bradycardia, hypotension, and syncope have been reported to occur in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, and constipation have been reported to occur in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including angioedema, skin rashes, and exfoliative dermatitis have been reported to occur with chronic use in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

General

General side effects including fever have been reported to occur with chronic use in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including liver damage have been reported to occur with chronic use in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including megaloblastic anemia have been reported to occur with chronic use in less than 1% of treated patients.[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Mebaral (mephobarbital). Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals. 2001;PROD.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer