Just about phenobarbital. Instructions for use for patients

A healthy dream in our time is the prerogative of a few. In the world, thousands of people have problems with falling asleep, every night "excruciating" the pillow and eventually getting a little sleepy. Of course, some people are helped by the usual valerian, but if a person is inclined to think about their affairs at night, then this remedy is unlikely to help. Then they turn to "heavy artillery" - barbiturates. For example, the substance phenobarbital.

Instructions for use says that recently more attention has been paid to the effect of phenobarbital on epileptic patients, they have less episodes of seizures. And to calm and sleep, the medicine is prescribed now less and less often. Its effects are too serious. And barbiturates can form dependence, they are dangerous in case of an overdose, so many countries require special recipes to buy phenobarbital in the pharmacy.

Instruction for use mentions among the indications also chorea, that is, a disease in which the movements of the case are uncoordinated and uncontrolled. Patients with epilepsy medication are given for a long time. How much should the phenobarbital agent be used? Dosage - from 0,1 to 0,5 g, but at a time it is not recommended to exceed the dosage in 0,2 g. However, in a normal state without a prescription this medicine will not be sold, and doctors try not to communicate with barbiturates, except for epilepsy . Quite a lot of attempts to commit suicide are connected with this medicine, therefore it is taken under special control.

What is the mechanism of action of this drug? It simply suppresses cellular respiration, more precisely, does not give energy from cellular respiration to go to the needs of the body. It turns out that the body "works" in the economy mode, and mental activity is suppressed at the same time. This explains the hypnotic effect. Also, impulses in the brain begin to be transmitted much more slowly, which reduces the likelihood of an epileptic attack.

With epilepsy, you can not in any case suddenly abolish phenobarbital, because the symptoms can immediately return and even intensify. Therefore, either a replacement for this medicine is immediately introduced, or the doctor goes along the path of gradual dose reduction. It is not recommended to prescribe concomitantly with this medication other sleeping pills or sedatives, because it is possible to have severe respiratory depression, even to death. By the way, the potential suicide - the survivors said that they were sorely lacking air. So if you dream of a painless path of suicide - this method is extremely difficult. In addition, in the case of "luck" you will still bring under the monastery of a doctor and a pharmacist, since in these cases a thorough investigation is being conducted into how the phenobarbital has fallen into the hands of the deceased.

Instructions for use indicate that over time the effect of the drug becomes weaker, so in principle you need to be ready to change the medication for another, because you can only increase the dose within certain limits. And in this situation, the doctor often finds dependence on the drug phenobarbital.

Instruction for use recommends very strict attitude to the received amount of the drug, never arbitrarily increasing it, since it is possible to form psychological dependence. From her, for example, suffered Marilyn Monroe, according to some versions, it was the cause of the death of the great actress. Covalar phenobarbital.

Side effects include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, hyperexcitation (in children). These effects of the drug are common. But if you have trouble breathing or swelling, stop taking the medication and consult a doctor immediately.

In case of an overdose, only the ambulance will help, so call immediately if you find a loved one unconscious. Tell the operator that your loved one is drinking phenobarbital.