Comparing Pentobarbital vs Phenobarbital

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
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Pentobarbital

Phenobarbital

Prescription only

Prescribed for Sedation, Status Epilepticus, Insomnia. Pentobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prescription only

Prescribed for Epilepsy, Hyperbilirubinemia, Sedation, Seizures, Insomnia. Phenobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

More about Pentobarbital

More about Phenobarbital

Ratings & Reviews

Pentobarbital has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 4 ratings on Drugs.com. 50% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 0% reported a negative effect.

Phenobarbital has an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 from a total of 35 ratings on Drugs.com. 91% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 6% reported a negative effect.

View all 4 reviews

View all 35 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

View all Pentobarbital side effects

View all Phenobarbital side effects

Drug Class

Barbiturates

Generic Availability

Lower cost generic

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	20 mL
Strength	50 mg/mL
Per unit^*	$51.32 - $51.33
Cost^*	$1,026.40 - $1,026.61

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Quantity	100 each
Strength	32.4 mg
Per unit^*	$0.30
Cost^*	$29.91

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Dosage Forms

Injectable solution

Injectable solution
Oral elixir
Oral tablet

Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

50 hours

118 hours

CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms

Multiple

The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.

Some potential for abuse

Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.

Pregnancy Category

Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 554 drugs are known to interact with Pentobarbital:

37 major drug interactions (175 brand and generic names)
489 moderate drug interactions (2451 brand and generic names)
28 minor drug interactions (98 brand and generic names)

A total of 803 drugs are known to interact with Phenobarbital:

241 major drug interactions (703 brand and generic names)
516 moderate drug interactions (3286 brand and generic names)
46 minor drug interactions (178 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

Ask your doctor before using PENTobarbital together with alcohol, this can add to dizziness... View more

Ask your doctor before using PHENobarbital together with alcohol, this can add to dizziness... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

N/A

WADA Class View classifications

N/A

More Information

Patient Resources

Pentobarbital uses

Phenobarbital uses

Professional Resources

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer

Comparing Pentobarbital vs Phenobarbital

See also:

Ativan

Valium

Ozempic

Atarax

Vistaril

Phenergan

Desyrel

Dilantin

Versed

Precedex

Further information

Comparing Pentobarbital vs Phenobarbital

See also:

Further information

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