Barbiturates : Before Using

Barbiturates - Systemic

Barbiturates *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For barbiturates, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to barbiturates. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Barbiturates have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects. However, this drug may be needed in serious diseases or other situations that threaten the mother's life. Be sure you have discussed this and the following information with your family doctor:

Taking barbiturates regularly during pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the newborn infant. In addition, taking barbiturates regularly during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the drug. This may lead to withdrawal side effects in the baby after birth.
One study has suggested that barbiturates taken during pregnancy may increase the risk of brain tumors in the baby.
Barbiturates taken for anesthesia during labor and delivery may reduce the force and frequency of contractions of the uterus; this may prolong labor and delay delivery.
Use of barbiturates during labor may cause breathing problems in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding problem

Barbiturates pass into the breast milk and may cause drowsiness, slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, or troubled breathing in babies of nursing mothers taking this drug.

Use for Children

Unusual excitement may be more likely to occur in children, who are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of barbiturates.

Elderly care

Confusion, mental depression and unusual excitement may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive than adults people to the effects of barbiturates.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases 2 various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking a barbiturate, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Adrenocorticoids - cortisone-like drug
Anticoagulants - blood thinners
Carbamazepine
Corticotropin - ACTH Barbiturates may decrease the effects of these medication

Central nervous system - CNS depressants - medication that cause drowsiness Using these medication with barbiturates may result in increased CNS depressant effects

Divalproex sodium
Valproic acid Using these medication with barbiturates may change the amount of either drug that you need to take

Oral contraceptives - birth control pills containing estrogens Barbiturates may decrease the effectiveness of these oral contraceptives and you may need to change to a various type of birth control

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of barbiturates. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alcohol abuse - or history of
Drug abuse or dependence - or history of Dependence on barbiturates may develop

Anemia - severe
Asthma - history of, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease
Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes
Hyperactivity - in child
Mental depression
Overactive thyroid
Porphyria - or history of Barbiturates may make the condition worse

Kidney disease
Liver disease Higher blood levels of barbiturates may result, increasing the risk of side effects

Pain Barbiturates may cause unexpected excitement or mask important symptoms of more serious problems

Underactive adrenal gland Barbiturates may interfere with the effects of other medication needed for this condition