Phenobarbital for Insomnia User Reviews
Brand names: Sezaby
- col...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 10, 2020
"Phenobarbital (five 32.4 mg tabs = 162 mg) 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 5-HTP 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."
- Fre...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 15, 2022
"Took 50 mg at bedtime, it actually acts as a stimulant and keeps me awake. Fast heart rate, body aches, and a slight headache. I will never be taking this for sleep again."
Frequently asked questions
See also:
Lamictal
Lamictal is an anti-epileptic medication used treat seizures in adults and children over 2 years ...
Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is used to treat epileptic seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia ...
Botox
Botox is used cosmetically to reduce facial lines and wrinkles and for medical purposes for ...
Levetiracetam
Levetiracetam is used for bipolar disorder, epilepsy, hyperekplexia, neuralgia, new daily ...
Lyrica
Lyrica is used to control seizures, treat nerve pain and fibromyalgia. Learn about side effects ...
Topiramate
Learn about topiramate, an anticonvulsant used for seizures, migraine prevention, and weight loss ...
Diazepam
Diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Learn ...
Lorazepam
Lorazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and is used to treat anxiety disorders ...
Pregabalin
Pregabalin may be used to treat certain types of pain and used in combination with other ...
Lamotrigine
Lamotrigine is used for anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, cyclothymic ...
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.Learn more about Insomnia
- Anticholinergic Drugs to Avoid in the Elderly
- Benzodiazepines: Overview and Use
- What are the dangers of mixing sleeping pills with alcohol?
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
More about phenobarbital
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (36)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: barbiturate anticonvulsants
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
- PHENobarbital, PHENobarbital Sodium (Anticonvulsant) monograph
- PHENobarbital, PHENobarbital Sodium (Systemic) (Sedative) (AHFS Monograph)
- Phenobarbital (FDA)
- Phenobarbital Elixir (FDA)
- Phenobarbital Oral Solution (FDA)
"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."