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Phenobarbital User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Sezaby

Phenobarbital has an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 from a total of 31 reviews on Drugs.com. 87% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 10% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Phenobarbital

  • You...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 13, 2019

For Seizures "I started taking phenobarbital back in the early 80's when I had a seizure and haven't had one since. They first started me on Dilantin and Tegretol, but none of these worked even taking both of them together did nothing. The first dose of phenobarbital ,100mg at night, that I took and I was seizure free. Lately these new doctors have tried taking me off of it for newer medications but the newer meds have horrible side effects which I do not get with Phenobarbital. Heck, I never had any side effects with Phenobarbital. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I'll take my 60 year old medication any day over these newer ones like Keppra."

10 / 10
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  • Bond
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • February 2, 2020

For Seizures "Started taking in 1973 now I’m 66 years old. Yes we all hear this is an old drug. I am also On 2 other seizure meds. Completely under Control ! No issue with phenobarbital!!! Tried to wean off one time on my life and that Was a big mistake. So give me the phenobarbital!! Take my dose at night. If you are on it stay on it !!!"

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • vlee
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 2, 2016

For Seizures "I have been taking phenobarbital since the 1980's. I tried many other meds first and the side effects were terrible. Finally, my neurosurgeon decided to try phenobarbitol. It made me very drowsy at first. I take it at bedtime. It has worked for me for decades. Every time I see a doctor I get the same old "that's an old drug. We should change it". NO THANK YOU. Insurance company wants me to try "step therapy". They don't know what they are doing. You can't just switch these meds. You have to wean off. I pay full price. Thank goodness it doesn't break the bank. Great medication, even if it is old."

10 / 10
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38 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Tracy...
  • January 26, 2018

For Seizures "I have been on phenobarbital for 35 years as well worked VERY well doctors kept saying drug hard on body and I should change it. So one day I listened and started taking lamotrigine was the worst move ever in my life had issues entire time on them and seizures got worse. I finally went back to phenobarbital and long very rough year and have not been same since. IF IT works don't change it"

9 / 10
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25 Report
  • LACBOS
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 2, 2018

For Seizures "I have taken phenobarbital medication prescribed by my Dr. for over three decades and if taken daily at the same time or one hour earlier or later from the previous day it works very well. Now what I have noticed is that if you take your medication the following day and are 4 - 6 hours late you might have a seizure due to fact that the medication drop significantly. This is why you must take medication daily at approximately the same time in order for medication to work very well. One more fact your medication levels will need to be checked periodically in order for the medication to work. Think of medication as chlorine in a pool of water and the chlorine must be enough and checked often in order for pool water be clean and clear."

9 / 10
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23 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Michi...
  • April 1, 2019

For Seizures "I have had a seizure disorder since the age of 15 and am now 50 years old. I have been on phenobarbital the entire time until just recently. My state (Michigan) instituted an across the board requirement for all people on controlled drugs to take a mandatory urine drug test and physical, the cost of which is not covered by insurance. Last year, I paid $300 out of pocket just to be able to get my prescription filled. So, this year, I decided I would try to save some cash and asked my doctor to put me on a drug that wasn't on the list of controlled substances. We decided on Keppra, and I took it for one week. BIG mistake! I had severe dizziness, couldn't sleep and felt like I was having auras all day and night. Luckily, I didn't have any seizures on Keppra, but my problems vanished when my doctor put be back on phenobarbital. Phenobarbital may be a controlled substance and costly to get in Michigan due to the drug testing requirements but it sure works well for me."

10 / 10
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20 Report
  • YahYo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 24, 2016

For Insomnia "I have severe insomnia. I've tried dozens of benzos, z-drugs, and natural supplements, and this is the only medication I've taken that allows me to fall asleep before midnight. I got a solid 5 hours of sleep on Phenobarbital. I didn't like though how I woke up so early in the morning... I feel my best when I get 8 hours of sleep. I probably need a higher dose next time"

8 / 10
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27 Report
  • colle...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 10, 2020

For Insomnia "Phenobarbital (five 32.4mg tabs = 162mg) is an excellent sedative. It lasts the entire night although it does cause next-day sedation because of its very long half life. I wake up periodically but always fall back asleep and get 7-8 hours in total. I have found the OTC supplement 5HTP to be helpful in conjunction with the Phenobarbital. Please beware of tolerance, dependence, and rebound effects. I would not use the drug for more than 7-10 nights at a time (with 2 week breaks). During breaks, I use other medications to help me sleep that do not have cross-tolerance with Phenobarbital so that tolerance to the Phenobarbital is reversed periodically."

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • jls
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 7, 2017

For Seizures "I am now 78 yrs old. Have taken 15mg in AM, 30mg at PM since 1960's. December 13 Neurologist told me to eliminate the AM, take only PM. 'Because it might affect my liver.' Dizziness on December 18,19, 20. December 21, chest pains, December 23 to ER for chest pains. Given Imdur. ER scheduled Stress Test, It showed no heart condition. Dec 30,chest pains again. ER doctor suggested med for Vertigo. Slight relief. Cardiologist suggested a MRI but suspected it was withdrawal of Phenobarbital. Cardiologist said to contact Neurologist who did not return my call 'because she was on vacation.' Pharmacist called her office, got original Phenobarbital and I felt immediate relief. Lesson: you know your own body!"

10 / 10
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24 Report
  • JustM...
  • February 16, 2018

For Seizures "Had GrandMal seizure early 1980s. No seizures before. Started on Phenytoin & Phenobarbital added later. Neurologist decided it was "old time medicine", switched me to Topamax. Felt weird, doc did nothing. In 5 months I blacked out walking down sidewalk of major road. Totaled car on interstate at rush hour. Blacked out standing at work. Every time I awoke in hospital. I refused to leave hospital last time saying "I want my old time medicine back that works for me or I will live in hospital lobby". I got old time meds back and fired doc. I know my body. Cash price Pheno in 1980s was maybe $5. Now $100. Why? But I will pay to remain seizure free!"

10 / 10
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20 Report
  • Winkeys
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 6, 2014

For Seizures "Had epilepsy since 14 now way over 60 and been on phenobarbitone all my life. Doctors have tried new ones on me but they had side effects whereas Phenobarbitone have been good for me. Epanutin caused gums shrinking and were bad for my liver. Now been put on Keppra and I cannot keep awake and ear hurts. Docs leave my pills alone please."

9 / 10
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27 Report
  • mayoh...
  • April 6, 2009

For Seizures "It has worked for me. Other seizure medicines caused me severe side effects. It does make me sleepy, so I take it prior to going to bed at night. Otherwise no side effects or alterations in behavior."

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • Laig
  • September 13, 2019

For Seizures "I have taken phenobarbital since I was 4 years old .25mg. They raised it 15 years ago to .34mg. Doc. Told me the .25 wasn't doing anything for me and took me off it. 9 months later I had a grand mal seizure and went back on to phenobarbital. I don't want anything else. My sister 2 times has asked what I'm on for friends of hers who son has seizure and they couldn't get them under control. He is now doing good on phenobarbital."

10 / 10
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9 Report
  • TimTim
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • March 23, 2023

For Seizures "I have been taking phenobarbital 100 mg since 1975. Many doctors have tried to get me off of it for newer drugs but if it ain't broke don't fix it. I was taking 400mg a day and was seizure-free. I finally went down to three a day. The biggest problem I have been having is the pharmacy has to order it every month the same pharmacy that for the last 20 years have carried 6 months at a time and the last year they not only did not know how to count but when I say something about it they say I'm lying. However, the ww458 phenobarbital works very well"

10 / 10
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  • some...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 24, 2017

For Seizures "On phenobarbital from age of 2 to 8, because I passed out in the high chair, probably hyperventilated. I was giving dose before bed every night. I couldn't fall asleep till nearly morning. As an adult, on meth for 20 years. I don't know if there is a connection or not, but no one else in my family is an addict. I don't mean to whine, just telling my experience."

2 / 10
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8 Report
  • Steve
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 10, 2022

For Seizures "I took this for 15 years. Controlled the seizures. Some side effects were good.. Low resting pulse, low blood pressure-almost too low. I slept well. Other side effects were worrisome. Bloodwork at annual physicals showed increasing levels of liver enzyme AST, cholesterol- both good and had. Also anemia started showing showing. So I asked neurologist for a change. Lamictal now for 4 years. Other side effects."

8 / 10
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  • gamma...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 20, 2014

Luminal (phenobarbital) for Seizures "No real severe side effects,and works well with no mood altering properties.recommended+"

9 / 10
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38 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 7, 2009

For Seizures "I have been taking it for 15 years and no major side effects. Even took it while pregnant. The doctors recommended as a safe medicine to control seizure and my baby was fine and I was fine. Thank God!"

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 28, 2008

For Seizures "I'm taking it since 1966 without any side effects."

10 / 10
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35 Report
  • PollyAS
  • December 2, 2016

Luminal (phenobarbital) for Seizures "Taking for over 20 years. Controls generalized seizure activity. No known side effects. Took during pregnancy w/ little issue (child had to be weaned off after birth)."

9 / 10
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20 Report
  • lacbos
  • June 14, 2009

For Seizures "Taken this medicine for decades and so far no sides effects or damage to the liver. Works very well if taken daily at or near the exact time."

9 / 10
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31 Report
  • Franc...
  • November 11, 2015

For Seizures "I have never had side effects nor adverse reactions when taking phenobarbital. I take it responsibly, as directed. I have been on it for at least 60 years."

10 / 10
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20 Report
  • Freia
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 15, 2022

For Insomnia "Took 50 mg at bedtime, it actually acts as a stimulant and keeps me awake. Fast heart rate, body aches & a slight headache. I will never be taking this for sleep again."

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  • Grandpa...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 5, 2021

For Hyperbilirubinemia "I take 30 mg daily to treat chronic Hyperbilirubinemia. Without it, my skin is very yellow. On my daily dosage, my skin is much closer to normal colour."

9 / 10
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6 Report
  • Qloe
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 11, 2020

For Seizures "IDK but ever since iIve had a seizure and started taking this medicine, i feel sad, irritable, and angry. but it works! I've never had a second seizure!"

10 / 10
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6 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.