Butabarbital Description

Generic Name: BUTABARBITAL

Pronunciation: (byoo ta bar' bi tal)

Trade Name(s): Butalan, Buticaps, Butisol

Why it is prescribed: Butabarbital, a barbiturate, is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia-to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. It also is used as a sedative to relieve anxiety, including anxiety before surgery.

When it is to be taken: Butabarbital usually is taken at bedtimes as needed for insomnia, 60 to 90 minutes before surgery, or three of four times a day for anxiety. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Do not take butabarbital for more than two weeks for insomnia.

How it should be taken: Butabarbital comes in the form of tablets, capsules, and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Take it on an empy stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after meals. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon from your pharmacist to be sure of an accurate dose of the liquid.

Special Instruction:
1. Because butabarbital can be habit-forming, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time that as directed.
2. If you accidentally take too much butabarbital, contact your doctor immediately.
3. Do not stop taking this drug without consulting your doctor, especially if you have been taking it for a long time.
4. Your doctor may want to decrease your dose gradually.
5. Butabarbital causes drowsiness, which may persist until the next day even though you take the drug at bedtime. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this durg affects you.

Side Effects:
1. Drowsiness, headache, depression, excitement, joint or muscle pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, nightmares, increased dreaming. Contact your doctor.
2. Skin rash, itching, sore throat, fever, easy bruising, bloody nose, unusual bleeding, signs of infection. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should tell their doctors before taking this drug. If you become pregnant while taking butabarbital, notify your doctor promptly.
2. Butabarbital can interact with many drugs. Before you take it, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, including anticoagulants, birth-control pills, antihistamines, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, steroids, and medications for depression or seizures.
3. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Before taking butabarbital, tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or tartrazine.
4. Before taking butabarbital, tell your doctor if you have pain, kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, or severe lung disease.
5. If you develop severe pain while taking butabarbital, contact you doctor. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.