Is Phenobarbital a Controlled Substance?

Do you want to know is phenobarbital is a controlled substance?

Drugs like phenobarbital, used to treat seizures and epilepsy, are controlled substances.

American Healthcare Compliance offers training on drugs that are controlled.

When healthcare workers deal with controlled substances, they have to follow the law and be responsible.

In controlled substance compliance training, people who work in healthcare learn how to prescribe and handle controlled substances.

Contact us for more information.

Phenobarbital controlled substance is in a class of drugs called barbiturates. Being sleepy is the most common side effect.

It is a Schedule IV-controlled substance because it can lead to dependence.

It means stopping the medication suddenly could cause phenobarbital withdrawal symptoms like weakness, muscle twitching, confusion, and disorientation.

Let us explain in detail what phenobarbital abuse means and why is phenobarbital a controlled substance.

Understanding Controlled Substances:

Controlled substances are drugs that the government oversees because they can be abused, become addicted, or become dependent on an individual.

Each of these drugs is put on a different schedule based on its medical use and risk of harm.

What is a Phenobarbital?

It is a barbiturate drug, but it is also called phenobarbitone or phenobarb. This drug is often used to treat certain types of epilepsy in people and animals like dogs, cats, and horses.

Phenobarbital is also used to treat seizures in horses when benzodiazepine therapy does not work or is not appropriate. It is used to treat feline hyperesthesia syndrome in cats.

This drug has been around for a long time. Barbital, the first barbiturate drug, was made in 1902, and phenobarbital followed in 1912.

Phenobarbital has a long half-life; the liver is the main organ that breaks it down through hydroxylation and glucuronidation. It makes different cytochrome P450 enzymes work and is mainly flushed out of the body by the kidneys.

Is Phenobarbital a Controlled Substance?

Yes, phenobarbital is a Schedule IV substance, which means it is a controlled substance.

This classification implies that phenobarbital is less likely to be abused than drugs in Schedules III and below. However, it can still lead to physical dependence and addiction if it is misused.

Why is phenobarbital Schedule IV?

If drugs or other substances can make you physically dependent on them, they are called controlled substances.

Phenobarbital is a Schedule IV controlled substance because it can become habit-forming and addictive if it is abused.

Physical dependence can happen along with phenobarbital addiction. It means that if someone stops taking the drug all of a sudden, they will experience phenobarbital withdrawal symptoms.

Do Doctors Still Prescribe Phenobarbital?

Healthcare professionals still give Phenobarbital to people who are having seizures, but they only do so when other, newer, and safer treatments are not working.

There are also problems with availability in pharmacies because some drug strengths are unavailable from distributors or because the company that makes them has stopped.

Pentobarbital, secobarbital, amobarbital, and methohexital are some other common barbiturates.

Side Effects of Phenobarbital Abuse

Some bad physical and mental effects can happen to people who abuse phenobarbital.

Here are some possible side effects:

• Being dizzy
• Being sleepy
• Headache
• Not being hungry
• Vomiting and feeling sick
• Loss of memory
• Depression
• Agitation
• Suicidal thoughts

Those who misuse phenobarbital will experience mental and physical side effects at a much higher rate than those who take it as prescribed.

Phenobarbital Overdose Symptoms

If someone takes too many phenobarbitals, these things will happen:

• Lack of coordination
• Uncontrolled eye movements
• Having trouble breathing
• Being cold to touch
• Hypothermia
• Unexpected blisters
• Low blood pressure
• Collapse of circulation
• Heart attack
• Problems with reflexes
• Nystagmus (jerking eye movements)
• Feeling tired and sleepy
• Absence of mind
• Slurred speech
• Aggression
• Fear and worry
• Respiratory distress
• Slowed heart rate
• Coma

Can phenobarbital cause death?

Taking too much phenobarbital is very dangerous and can even kill you. Medical intervention is needed immediately, including activated charcoal, breathing support, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, IV fluids, laxatives, and other medications for specific symptoms.

How Long Does Phenobarbital Stay in your System

According to the research, the half-life of phenobarbital is very long, which means that it stays in the body for a long time.

The half-life of phenobarbital in adults’ plasma ranges from 53 to 118 hours, with 79 hours being the average.

There is a range of 60 to 180 hours for children and newborns, with 110 hours being the average.

To sum up, is phenobarbital a controlled substance?

It is in Schedule IV because it can lead to addiction and dependence. It is still an essential drug for treating epilepsy and seizures, but abusing it can cause severe mental and physical problems, overdose, or even death. When prescribing and handling phenobarbital, healthcare professionals must follow strict rules to keep patients safe and stop drug abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of pentobarbital?

Pentobarbital injectable solution (50 mg/mL) costs about $1,244 for 20 milliliters, but this depends on the pharmacy you go to.

Does phenobarbital get you high?

Phenobarbital is a barbiturate drug that is used to control seizures. Abusing this drug can lead to several problems. Due to its soothing properties, phenobarbital is rarely used to get a “high” but can cause side effects.

Why is phenobarbital a controlled substance?

Phenobarbital is a controlled substance because it can cause physical dependence and addiction if it is used in the wrong way.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies it as a Schedule IV controlled substance because it can cause physical dependence and abuse.

Phenobarbital is limited in its use, distribution, and prescription to stop people from abusing or misusing it.

Can phenobarbital cause death?

It is possible to overdose on phenobarbital because it is addicting. It can cause problems with the lungs and kidneys, which could end in death.