Secobarbital

Generic name: secobarbital [ SEE-koe-BAR-bi-tal ]
Brand name: Seconal Sodium
Drug class: Barbiturates

What is secobarbital?

Secobarbital is a barbiturate (bar-BIT-chur-ate) that slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Secobarbital is used short-term to treat insomnia, or as a sedative before surgery.

Secobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use secobarbital if you have severe liver disease, severe breathing problems, or porphyria.

Some people using secobarbital have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later having no memory of the activity.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use secobarbital if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe liver disease;

• severe breathing problems; or

• porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

To make sure secobarbital is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing disorder;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts;

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or

• if you also use a narcotic (opioid) medication.

If you use secobarbital while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Secobarbital can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Secobarbital can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Related/similar drugs

trazodone, hydroxyzine, lorazepam, diazepam, promethazine, zolpidem, diphenhydramine

How should I take secobarbital?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take secobarbital in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

Secobarbital may be habit-forming. Never share secobarbital with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away secobarbital is against the law.

If you take this medicine to treat insomnia: Take secobarbital only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep. You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.

Take secobarbital on an empty stomach. Do not take the medicine right after eating a meal.

Secobarbital is for short-term use only.

Call your doctor if your insomnia symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after using this medication for 7 to 10 nights in a row. Do not take secobarbital for longer than 2 weeks without your doctor's advice.

Do not stop using secobarbital suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using secobarbital.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Secobarbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since secobarbital is taken only at bedtime if needed, you are not likely to miss a dose. Take this medicine only when you are getting ready for several hours of sleep.

If you do not have time to get a full night's sleep after taking the medication, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled sleep time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of secobarbital can be fatal, especially when it is taken together with other medications that can cause drowsiness.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, feeling light-headed, fainting, feeling cold, and weak or shallow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking secobarbital?

Do not take secobarbital if you have consumed alcohol during the day or just before bed.

Avoid taking cold or allergy medicine that contains an antihistamine.

Secobarbital may impair your thinking or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking secobarbital. Wait until you are fully awake before you drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Secobarbital side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking secobarbital and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.

Stop using secobarbital and call your doctor at once if you have:

• unusual thoughts or behavior;

• new or worsening depression;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• anxiety, agitation; or

• thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

The sedative effects of secobarbital may be stronger in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness, feeling tired;

• "hangover" effect (drowsiness the day after a dose);

• headache, dizziness;

• memory problems;

• dry mouth;

• upset stomach; or

• feeling restless or excited (especially in children).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Secobarbital dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:

100 mg orally once a day at bedtime

Comments:
-This drug may lose effectiveness for sleep induction and maintenance after 2 weeks.
-Short-acting barbiturates may be more effective in producing sleep; however, controlled studies have failed to demonstrate the effects.
-Treatment should be limited to short-term use.
-Patients should ensure that they are able to get a full night's sleep before being active again.

Use: Hypnotic for the short-term treatment of insomnia

Usual Adult Dose for Sedation:

Preoperative: 200 to 300 mg orally ONCE 1 to 2 hours before surgery

Comment: This drug has little analgesic effect at subanesthetic doses.

Use: Preanesthetic/preoperative sedation

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sedation:

Pediatric patients:
Preoperative: 2 to 6 mg/kg orally ONCE
-Maximum dose: 100 mg/dose

Comment: This drug has little analgesic effect at subanesthetic doses.

Use: Preanesthetic/preoperative sedation

What other drugs will affect secobarbital?

Taking secobarbital with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with secobarbital, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01.