Butabarbital Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 12, 2024.

Applies to butabarbital: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy when used with this medicine. Use another form of birth control (eg, condoms, spermicide) along with your pills. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

If you think you need to take butabarbital for more than 7 to 10 days, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Insomnia that lasts longer than this may be a sign of another medical problem.

Butabarbital may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.

This medicine contains a yellow dye called tartrazine, which may cause severe allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies, including an allergy to aspirin, or asthma.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally, which may lead to falls. Even though butabarbital is taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are using butabarbital, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people using this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

This medicine may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning. It is possible you could drive a car, sleepwalk, have sex, make phone calls, or prepare and eat food while you are asleep or not fully awake. Tell your doctor right away if you learn that any of these has happened.

Do not change your dose or stop using it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of butabarbital or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with butabarbital may lead to serious breathing problems and unconsciousness. Some signs of an overdose include: severe drowsiness, severe nausea or vomiting, staggering, and troubled breathing.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of butabarbital

Some side effects of butabarbital may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of butabarbital

Along with its needed effects, butabarbital may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking butabarbital:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking butabarbital:

Symptoms of overdose

• blurred vision
• chills
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• cool hands and feet
• decrease in the amount of urine
• difficult or troubled breathing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• poor judgment
• shivering
• slurred speech
• sweating
• trouble in walking
• trouble sleeping
• uncontrolled eye movements

For healthcare professionals

Applies to butabarbital: oral elixir, oral tablet.

Nervous system adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence
• Frequency not reported: Ataxia, central nervous system (CNS) depression, dizziness, headache, hyperkinesia, syncope^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, insomnia, nervousness, nightmares, psychiatric disturbance^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Constipation, nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Apnea, hypoventilation^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, hypotension^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Exfoliative dermatitis, skin rashes^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Fever^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Liver damage^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Butabarbital side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer