Amobarbital (Injection)

Introduction:

Amobarbital (am-oh-BAR-bi-tal)

Treats insomnia and also makes you feel sleepy before surgery. This is a barbiturate.

Brand Name(s):

Amytal Sodium

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins or as a shot into a muscle.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using steroid medicine, or antibiotics such as griseofulvin or doxycycline. Tell your doctor if you are also using medicine for seizures such as phenytoin (Dilantin®), sodium valproate, valproic acid, or blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine for depression called MAO inhibitors (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®). Tell your doctor if you are also using hormones such as estradiol, estrone, or progesterone.
• There are many other drugs that interact with this medicine. Make sure your doctor knows all other medicines you are using.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breast feeding.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease or severe pain in any part of your body.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have severe depression or a history of drug addiction.
• This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Abnormal behavior, drowsiness, or confusion.
• Anxiety or agitation.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Pale skin or pale lip color.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Trouble breathing.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness or trouble sleeping.
• Fever or headache.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: