Amobarbital Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia

65 to 200 mg IM or IV once a day at bedtime

• Maximum dose: 1000 mg/dose

Comments:

• This drug may lose effectiveness for sleep induction and maintenance after 2 weeks.
• Intermediate-acting barbiturates may be more effective in maintaining sleep; however, controlled studies have failed to demonstrate the effects.
• Treatment should be limited to short-term use.

Use: Hypnotic for the short-term treatment of insomnia

Usual Adult Dose for Sedation

30 to 50 mg IM or IV 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 1000 mg/dose

Comments:

• This drug has little analgesic effect at subanesthetic doses.

Uses:

• Sedative
• Preanesthetic

Usual Pediatric Dose for Insomnia

6 to 12 years: 65 to 500 mg IM or IV

Comments:

• This drug may lose effectiveness for sleep induction and maintenance after 2 weeks.
• Intermediate-acting barbiturates may be more effective in maintaining sleep; however, controlled studies have failed to demonstrate the effects.
• Treatment should be limited to short-term use for insomnia.
• This drug has little analgesic effect at subanesthetic doses.

Uses:

• Hypnotic for the short-term treatment of insomnia
• Sedative
• Preanesthetic

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sedation

6 to 12 years: 65 to 500 mg IM or IV

Comments:

• This drug may lose effectiveness for sleep induction and maintenance after 2 weeks.
• Intermediate-acting barbiturates may be more effective in maintaining sleep; however, controlled studies have failed to demonstrate the effects.
• Treatment should be limited to short-term use for insomnia.
• This drug has little analgesic effect at subanesthetic doses.

Uses:

• Hypnotic for the short-term treatment of insomnia
• Sedative
• Preanesthetic

Renal Dose Adjustments

Renal dysfunction: Dose adjustment(s) may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested. Caution recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate liver dysfunction: Dose adjustment(s) may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested. Caution recommended.
Severe liver dysfunction: Contraindicated

Patients with premonitory signs of hepatic coma: Not recommended.

Dose Adjustments

Elderly and/or debilitated patients: Dose adjustment(s) may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested. Caution recommended.

Withdrawal regimen: Decrease the single, therapeutic dose over 5 or 6 days to lessen rapid eye movement (REM) rebound and disturbed sleep (e.g., decreasing from 3 to 2 doses/day for 1 week).

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Hypersensitivity to the active component, barbiturates, or any of the ingredients
• Patients with a history of manifest/latent porphyria
• Patients with a respiratory disease in which dyspnea/obstruction is evident
• Patients with marked liver dysfunction

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

US Controlled Substance: II

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• IV administration should be limited to conditions in which other routes are not feasible, either because the patient is unconscious (e.g., cerebral hemorrhage, eclampsia, status epilepticus), the patient resists (e.g., delirium), or prompt action is imperative.
• IV administration should be slow, and the rate of injection should not exceed 50 mg/min.
• IM injection should be made into a large muscle, and the volume of injection should not exceed 5 mL at any one site.

Storage requirements:

• After opening the vial, this drug should be injected within 30 minutes.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

• This drug should be reconstituted aseptically with sterile water for injection. The vial should be rotated, but should not be shaken.
• Solutions should not be used if the solution has not become absolutely clear within 5 minutes of reconstitution OR forms a precipitate after clearing.

General:

• An average IM dose ranges from 65 to 500 mg.
• This drug should be given under the direction of a healthcare provider.
• Limitation of use: This drug has not been found by the US FDA to be safe and effective, and the manufacturer product labeling has not been approved by the US FDA.

Monitoring:

• HEMATOLOGIC: Periodic blood counts, especially in patients on long-term treatment
• HEPATIC: Periodic liver function tests, especially in patients on long-term treatment
• RENAL: Periodic renal function tests, especially in patients on long-term treatment

Patient advice:

• This medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Patients should report any behavior of concern to their healthcare provider as soon as possible.
• This drug may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and reduced alertness. Patients should not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until they know how this drug affects them.
• Patients should avoid drinking alcohol or taking other drugs that may cause sleepiness or dizziness while taking this drug until they talk to their healthcare provider.
• Patients should be told to contact their healthcare provider before increasing/decreasing the dose or discontinuing treatment.
• Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer