Drug Identity
Active Ingredient
Phenobarbitone
Chemical Class
Barbiturate
Pharmacological Group
on the basis of mechanism of action
What is Mednophen?
Uses
Phenobarbitone is oral and parenteral barbiturate with anticonvulsant and sedative-hypnotic properties. Phenobarbital is the oldest of th...
How It Works
Chemical Class
Barbiturate
Pharmacological Group
on the basis of mechanism of action
Phenobarbitone also known as Ethylphenylbarbituric Acid or phenobarbitone or phenobarb. It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Barbiturate. It belongs to Chloride Channel opener (Gaba operated) pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action. The Molecular Weight of Phenobarbitone is 232.20. It is weakly alkaline drug, 3.95% solution of the drug is isotonic and Its pKa is 7.2.
How to Take It
1
Adult · IV,IM
50 to 200 mg — 6 hourly
2
Adult · PO
60 to 180 mg — 24 hourly
Taken at night.
3
Child · Oral
3.1 mg/kg — 24 hourly
-
Safety Alerts
Phenobarbitone is contraindicated in conditions like Porphyrias, Severe Hepatic impairment, Airway obstruction, History of sedative hypnotic addiction
Important Warnings
Phenobarbitone should be used with extreme caution in case of severe liver function, pulmonary or cardiac disease, shock or uremia
Administered with caution to patients with borderline hypoadrenal function
During prolong therapy, perform periodic lab evaluation of organ system, including renal (kidney) and hepatic (liver) system
It should be used with caution (if contains tartrazine) in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity, because may produced allergic reactions (including bronchial asthma)
Side Effects
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Phenobarbitonewhich give rise to further complications include AtaxiaConfusionAggressionIrritabilityNystagmusMental disturbances. Phenobarbitone produces potentially life-threatening effects which include AgranulocytosisAplastic AnemiaExfoliative dermatitisHepatitis. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Phenobarbitone therapy. The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Phenobarbitone include Coma and deathSedationStupor. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Phenobarbitone are more or less tolerable and if they become severethey can be treated symptomaticallythese include Skin rashesErythema
Drug Interactions
Phenobarbitone is known to interact with other drugs
the details of drug interactions is as follows:DrugDetailsSeverityOnsetManagementAbacavirPhenobarbital reduces plasma concentration of abacavir.AlcoholAlfacalcidolit reduces hydroxilation of alfacalcidolAmoxapineAmoxapine antagonises antconvulsant effect of phenobarbitone
convuksive threshold lowered. Metabolism of amoxapine possibly accelerated
reduced plasma concentration. Bupropion (HCl)CalcifediolCarbamazepinePhenobarbitone may decreases Carbamazepine levels. The mechanism may be related to induction of CYP450 hepatic metabolism of Carbamazepine.CarmustineChloramphenicolPhenobarbitone causes subtherapeutic concentration of chloramphenicol.ChloramphenicolChlorpropamideClonazepamCorticotropinCyclosporin ADesogestrelDexamethasonephenobarbitone decrease plasma half life and bioavailibility of dexamethasone by 50%Dexamphetamine (Sulphate)DextropropoxypheneDiazepamBarbiturates (e.g. Phenobarbitone) potentiate the action of Diazepam and should not be given concurrentlyDigitoxinDigitoxinDi-IodohydroxyquinolineDiltiazem (HCl)Dimemorfan PhosphateDiphenhydramineDipyroneDisopyramideDoxycyclineDoxycyclineDydrogesteroneEphedrineEstazolamEstradiol (Valerate)EthinyloestradiolEthosuximideEthynodiol (Diacetate)FlunisolideFosphenytoinGallopamilGestodeneGriseofulvinGriseofulvinHydrocortisoneIndinavir (Sulphate)Influenza VaccineIopanoic AcidIotroxate (Meglumine)ItraconazoleLamotrigineLevonorgestrelLynoestrenolMegestrol (Acetate)MephenytoinPhenobarbital may interact with Mephenytoin. It can either increase or decrease the effect of Mephenytoin. MethylprednisoloneBarbiturates (e.g. Phenobarbitone ) can increase metabolism of methyl prednisoloneNicoumaloneNorgestimateNortriptyline (HCl)PemolineEffects may be additive. Use caution when pemoline is used with other CNS acting medicationsPethidine (HCl)PhenindionePhenylbutazone Phenytoin (Na)Phenytoin (Na)PioglitazonePrajmalium Bitartaratephenobarbitone increases hepatic metabolism of prajmalium bitartarate.ProgesteronePropoxyphenePyridoxinePyridoxineQuinidineRepaglinidePhenobarbitone may decrease the levels/effects of repaglinide.RitonavirSecnidazoleSertindoleSertindole has the potential of causing drowsiness
thus in combination Phenobarbitone sedation may result. Sodium ValproateStilboestrolTacrolimusTelithromycinPhenobarbitone is likely to result in subtherapeutic levels of telithromycin and loss of effect.Thiamine HCl (Vitamin B1)Barbiturates may lower thiamin levels in the body by decreasing absorption and increasing excretion or metabolism.Tiagabine (HCl)Tocainide (HCl)Verapamil (HCl)Vitamin KWarfarin (Na)Phenobarbitone may increase the metabolism
via CYP isoenzymes
of Warfarin. MajorDelayedMonitor for decreased therapeutic effects of Warfarin if Phenobarbitone is initiated/dose increased (anticoagulant dosage increases of 30% to 60% may be needed based on monitored PT)
or increased effects if Phenobarbitone is discontinued/dose decreased. An increased frequency of PT monitoring should be considered for the period immediately following Phenobarbitone initiation/dosage changes. Zolpidem (Tartrate) These interactions are sometimes beneficial and sometimes may pose threats to life. Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.
Storage
Inj Store Below 40°C. Do not Freeze. Tab Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C.
Price Intelligence
Rs 75.72
DRAP approved maximum price · per pack of 100 · approved 27 Jul, 2026
No retail price observed for this pack. Retailers may not exceed the approved maximum.
Prices across sources
DRAPper pack of 100Rs 75.72
Should you consider an alternative?
Other options containing Phenobarbitone, and what they are not.
Identical active ingredient at the same strength. Cheapest per unit first.
Ordered by lowest price per unit where a pack size is known, then by price. Order is never affected by sponsorship. Not medical advice — confirm any change with your pharmacist or doctor.
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