What happens if I give my cat too much phenobarbital?
Cats can exhibit incoordination, sedation, lethargy, facial itchiness, increased appetite and associated weight gain, and increased thirst and urination.
What happens if you accidentally take phenobarbital?
An overdose of phenobarbital can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, weak pulse, cold or clammy skin, little or no urination, pinpoint pupils, feeling cold, or fainting. Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions.
How much phenobarbital can you give a cat?
The recommended starting dose in cats is 2–3 mg/kg orally twice daily, and the drug requires 10–15 days to reach steady-state concentration after initiating therapy or changing dose.
How much phenobarbital does it take to overdose?
Phenobarbital Overdose A lethal dose of phenobarbital is 6-10 grams, which a person may have in their medicine cabinet if they have been prescribed this drug. As a daytime sedative, a doctor may prescribe anywhere from 30 mg to 120 mg, and as an insomnia treatment, an individual could take as much as 320 mg.
Do doctors still prescribe phenobarbital?
Many doctors no longer prescribe it unless other seizure medicines have failed, however, because of concern that its side effects often outweigh its benefits (except for certain groups such as very young children).
How long does it take to wean off phenobarbital?
It takes about 4 to 5 half-lives for drugs to be fully eliminated from your system. Phenobarbital is metabolized by the liver and excreted in the urine. It can be detected in the urine for up to 15 days after a dose. If you take a urine drug screen while on phenobarbital, it will likely test positive for barbiturates.
What happens if you drink phenobarbital?
Like all barbiturates, phenobarbital can produce physical dependence and addiction in some people, and the dangers of addiction and overdose are greatly increased when phenobarbital is combined with alcohol. As a barbiturate, Luminal produces sedative effects, including; Drowsiness.
How much barbiturates is lethal?
The toxic dose of barbiturates varies. However, an oral dose of one gram for most barbiturates can cause significant poisoning in an adult. Fatal cases of ingestion have occurred with doses ranging between 2.0 and 10.0 grams; the usual lethal blood level ranges from 40 to 80 mcg/mL.
Is it safe for cats to take phenobarbital?
Sleeping more is a normal side effect when first adjusting to phenobarbital. Phenobarbital is a very safe and effective drug that has been used for many years in cats. It is used for seizures and for a variety of behavior problems. At the Animal Clinic at Thorndale we have a lot of experience with this medication in both cats and dogs.
When to give phenobarbital to dogs with seizures?
Phenobarbital is used to help control seizures in dogs and cats. It may be used alone or with other medication. Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule.
Can you take phenobarbital with or without food?
It may be given with or without food. If vomiting occurs when dosed on an empty stomach, give future doses with food or a treat. Phenobarbital must be given regularly, do not skip doses. Do not stop this medication abruptly, this medication must be tapered slowly.
Can a withdrawal from phenobarbital cause a seizure?
Phenobarbital causes physical dependence, and thus abrupt withdrawal may cause “barbiturate withdrawal” seizures.
Are there any side effects to giving phenobarbital to cats?
Cats receiving phenobarbital should have their weight monitored and should be fed to avoid an increase in weight leading to obesity. A less frequent but more serious potential side effect of phenobarbital is liver disease. Cats receiving phenobarbital need to have their blood monitored periodically for signs of liver disease.
What are the long-term effects of phenobarbital in dogs?
Longer lasting signs include an increase in thirst, an increase in urine volume and an increase in appetite. Dogs and cats receiving phenobarbital should have their weight monitored and should be fed to avoid an increase in weight leading to obesity.
How is phenobarbital used as an anticonvulsant?
As an anticonvulsant, it is used to prevent recurrent seizures. Phenobarbital acts by decreasing the activity in the brain cells (neurons) that cause the seizures to occur. Because it is a barbiturate, phenobarbital is a controlled drug and can only be obtained with a prescription from your pet’s veterinarian.
What happens if you miss a dose of phenobarbital?
This is a temporary effect and usually resolves as your cat adjusts to the phenobarbital dosage. If the effects are drastic, your veterinarian may ask you to decrease the dosage at least temporarily. It is also very important to never miss a dose. Missing a dose may cause your pet to have a seizure. Try very hard to keep on a regular schedule.
