Causes and Risks:

• phenobarbital

Where Found:

• phenobarbital (Luminal)

Symptoms:

• respiratory
  • other problems breathing (such as breathing slows or stops)
• skin
  • blisters at pressure points
• heart and blood vessels
  • weak pulse
  • low blood pressure
• nervous system
  • headache
  • confusion
  • delirium
  • coma
  • excitement
  • deep sleep

Home Treatment: Contact Poison Control for further guidance.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed
• if the medication was prescribed for the patient

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room. It may be necessary to use an ambulance.

What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis, possibly.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Give treatment to enhance the excretion of phenobarbital.
• Monitor phenobarbital levels.
• Treat the symptoms.

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the symptoms observed by the health care provider.

Recovery will probably occur within 24 to 48 hours with proper care in these cases:

• mild symptoms
  • The patient can be aroused.
• moderate symptoms
  • The patient cannot be aroused. Breathing is normal.
  • Other life signs (pulse, skin color, and so on) are normal.

• severe symptoms
  • The patient cannot be aroused.
  • Breathing and other life signs may be abnormal.