Butabarbital Dosage
Applies to the following strengths: 30 mg/5 mL; 15 mg; 30 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Sedation
Daytime sedation: 15 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
-Duration of therapy: Up to 2 weeks
Preoperative sedation: 50 to 100 mg orally ONCE, given 60 to 90 minutes prior to surgery
Comments:
-When treating used as a daytime sedative, this drug typically loses 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.
Uses:
-As a daytime sedative
-For preoperative sedation
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia
Hypnotic: 50 to 100 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Duration of therapy: Up to 2 weeks
Comments:
-When treating insomnia, this drug typically loses 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: As a bedtime hypnotic for the short-term treatment of insomnia
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sedation
Children: 2 to 6 mg/kg orally ONCE, given 60 to 90 minutes prior to surgery
-Maximum dose: 100 mg
Use: As a preoperative sedative
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Patients with liver damage: Use with caution; initial doses should be reduced.
Patients with premonitory signs of hepatic coma: Not recommended.
Dose Adjustments
Patients who are elderly and/or debilitated: The dose should be reduced because these patients may be more sensitive to barbiturates.
Withdrawal regimens: Cautious and gradual withdrawal of this drug should be performed over an extended period. The manufacturer product information should be consulted regarding recommendations for specific dosing regimens.
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
-Hypersensitivity to the active component, known sensitivity to barbiturates, or to any of the ingredients
-Patients with a history of latent or manifest porphyria
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
US Controlled Substance: Schedule III
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Storage requirements:
-Store at 20 to 25C.
General:
-The lowest effective dose should be used for shortest amount of time possible.
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 (e.g., respiration rate), especially in patients on long-term treatment
Patient advice:
-Patients should be instructed to immediately report "sleep driving," other complex behaviors, and any new/worsening signs/symptoms of depression.
-Inform patients that this drug may cause blurred vision, dizziness, impaired coordination, prolonged reaction time, short-term memory impairment, and/or somnolence, and they should avoid driving or operating machinery if these side effects occur.
-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 changing the dose or discontinuing treatment.
-Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
More about butabarbital
- Side effects
- Drug interactions
- During pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Reviews (5)
- Drug class: barbiturates
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.