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
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