Butabarbital Dosage

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.

See also:

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer