To monitor the phenobarbital level in your blood to ensure a therapeutic level while avoiding toxic side effects
Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital
Also Known As
[Often referred to by brand name (see MedlinePlus Drug Information)]
Formal Name
Phenobarbital
This article was last reviewed
on
This article waslast modified
on December 29, 2018.
Accordion Title
Common Questions
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How is it used?
This test is used to measure and monitor the amount of phenobarbital in the blood and to determine whether the drug level is within a therapeutic range. Phenobarbital is an anti-epileptic drug used to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. This test is used to ensure that the blood level of phenobarbital is not too low so as to cause a recurrence of seizures or too high as to cause side effects. Depending on the result, a health practitioner may adjust the drug dose up or down.
If the person being treated begins taking another medication, this test may be used to monitor the blood level because phenobarbital interacts with several other common drugs. Phenobarbital might increase or decrease a specific drug's effectiveness, and that medication may also affect the level of phenobarbital in the blood. The result could be decreased effectiveness from a level that is too low or severe side effects/toxicity if the level is too high.
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When is it ordered?
A health practitioner will usually order the test after the start of phenobarbital treatment and every few weeks thereafter. Testing may be more frequent any time the dose is adjusted up or down. Once a stable blood level of phenobarbital is achieved and is in the therapeutic range, then the health practitioner will typically monitor levels at regular intervals to ensure that they are stable.
More frequent testing may be done if an individual begins taking or discontinues another medication that affects phenobarbital levels.
A healthcare provider might also order phenobarbital levels if the person does not appear to be responding to the medication and continues to experience seizures.
Testing may be ordered when an individual experiences side effects from phenobarbital. Most side effects are not serious and often go away with no further action. A person should notify their healthcare provider if any of the following persist or become severe:
- Drowsiness
- Headache, dizziness
- Depression
- Excitement (especially in children)
- Upset stomach, vomiting
- Nightmares, increased dreaming
- Constipation
- Joint or muscle pain
If any of the following symptoms are present, the healthcare provider should be notified immediately:
- Seizures
- Mouth sores, sore throat
- Easy bruising, bloody nose, unusual bleeding
- Unexplained fever
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe skin rash
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What does the test result mean?
The therapeutic range for adults taking phenobarbital is 15-40 micrograms/milliliter (mcg/ml) (65-173 micromole/liter) for seizure treatment, and 5-15 micrograms/milliliter (mcg/ml) (22-65 micromole/liter) for sedative-hypnotic use. The therapeutic range for seizure treatment in children (younger than 5 years old) is narrower: 15-30 micrograms/milliliter (mcg/ml) (65-130 micromole/liter).
Within these ranges, most people will respond to the drug without displaying symptoms of toxicity. However, each person's response to the drug and side effects is individual. A person may experience side effects even with blood levels at the low end of the therapeutic range or continue to have seizures at the upper end. As with other anti-epileptic drugs, the healthcare provider will work with the person who is being treated to find the dosage that works best.
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Is there anything else I should know?
Phenobarbital has been used to treat epilepsy since the early 20th century and is still the most widely prescribed anti-epileptic drug worldwide, despite development of several others since then. Because the drug causes sedation and other side effects, it is now often a second- or third-line medication in developed countries. But phenobarbital is still a first-line drug in many developing nations.
You should take phenobarbital exactly as your healthcare provder has prescribed it. Do not decrease the dose, increase it, or discontinue the medication on your own because doing so can increase your risk of having a seizure and can affect the levels of your other medications. Always consult your healthcare provider if you are having problems taking phenobarbital.
Your healthcare provider might decide to order a test if you begin taking another medication because several common drugs can affect how your body responds to phenobarbital. The following drugs can have effects with phenobarbital:
- Oral blood-thinning medications like warfarin
- Antidepressants and tricyclics, including MAO inhibitor antidepressants
- Central nervous system depressants, sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers
- Antihistamines
- Alcohol
- Oral contraceptives
- Corticosteroids like prednisone
- Doxycycline used to treat bacterial infections
- Griseofulvin, a drug used to treat fungal infections
- Phenytoin, another medication often prescribed to treat seizures
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How long will it take for the medicine to work?
It may take a number of weeks to find the right dose, and even more time for your healthcare provider to know how well the medicine works to control your seizures. How long this takes will be different for each person. It may require 14-21 days to achieve the steady therapeutic blood concentrations. Factors affecting dose optimization include how often you have seizures, what other medicines you may be taking, and how your body responds to phenobarbital.
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How long will my phenobarbital level have to be monitored?
In general, your levels will need to be monitored as long as you are taking the medication. Phenobarbital, like other anti-epileptic drugs, is usually taken every day (sometimes several times a day) for your lifetime. Exceptions to this may be adults who have outgrown their epileptic syndromes from childhood or people whose seizures are caused by a temporary condition and only need the medication for a limited time.
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Will phenobarbital affect other medicines that I am taking?
It might. Be sure to tell your healthcare providers the names of all prescription medicines, herbal or dietary supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medicines you take. Some of these may interfere with how phenobarbital works, lowering or raising the level in your blood. Phenobarbital may also affect how other medicines work.
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I am taking the drug primidone. Why is my doctor monitoring phenobarbital?
Primidone is another medication that is used to control seizures. Phenobarbital is the major breakdown product (metabolite) of primidone that is also active in controlling seizures. To ensure that there is enough active drug in your blood to control your symptoms without causing toxicity, your healthcare provider may monitor phenobarbital when you are prescribed primidone.