Phenobarbital overdose

Home treatment:

Call Poison Control.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

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.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce emesis.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Monitor blood levels and blood chemistries.
• Give treatment to increase excretion of the drug from the body.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

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

• The patient can be aroused.
• No further treatment will probably be necessary, but the patient will be monitored in the hospital.

Moderate

• The patient cannot be aroused.
• Breathing is normal.
• Other life signs (pulse, skin color, and so on) are normal.
• Recovery will probably occur within 24 to 48 hours with proper care.

Severe:

• The patient cannot be aroused.
• Breathing and other life signs may be abnormal.
• Recovery will probably occur within 3 to 5 days, depending on the amount swallowed.