
Precautions
Uses of Luminal: It is used to help control certain kinds of seizures. It is used to treat anxiety. It is used to treat sleep problems. It may be given to you for other reasons.
What are the uses of luminal?
The Luminal brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available. It is used to help control certain kinds of seizures . It is used to treat anxiety . It is used to treat sleep problems.
Is there a generic for luminal?
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Luminal? 1 Tell all of your health care providers that you take Luminal (phenobarbital injection). ... 2 This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use. 3 Do not stop taking Luminal (phenobarbital injection) all of a sudden without calling your doctor. ... More items...
What are some things I need to know before taking luminal?
What are some other side effects of Luminal? All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Feeling sleepy. Headache. Upset stomach or throwing up.
What are the side effects of luminal?

What is Luminal used for?
It works by controlling the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that occurs during a seizure. This medication is also used for a short time (usually no more than 2 weeks) to help calm you or help you sleep during periods of anxiety. It works by affecting certain parts of the brain to cause calming.
What is luminal poisoning?
Luminal overdose symptoms occur when a person takes too much of the drug in a short amount of time or when doses exceed the safe amount that can be taken. Luminal is also known as phenobarbital in its generic form. Signs of an overdose on Luminal require immediate addiction treatment.
Can phenobarbital cause death?
The combination of phenobarbital and alcohol reduces blood pressure and depresses the brain's centers that help make the heart beat regularly. With a large enough dose, circulation fails. The result is death. The combination is often used in suicide.
What does phenobarbital do for dogs?
Phenobarbital (brand names: Luminal Sodium®, Solfoton®, Tedral®; alternative generic names: phenobarbitone, fenobarbital, phenemalum, phenobarbitalum, phenylethylbarbituric acid, phenylethylmalonylurea) is a barbiturate used to treat seizures and as a sedative in cats, dogs, ferrets, and horses.
What does phenobarbital treat?
Phenobarbital is used to control seizures. Phenobarbital is also used to relieve anxiety. It is also used to prevent withdrawal symptoms in people who are dependent ('addicted'; feel a need to continue taking the medication) on another barbiturate medication and are going to stop taking the medication.
What does phenobarbital do to a human?
Phenobarbital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system. Phenobarbital is used to treat or prevent seizures. Phenobarbital is also used short-term as a sedative to help you relax. Phenobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Can phenobarbital cause brain damage?
Especially susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of phenytoin are epileptic children with severe brain damage who are on multiple drugs. In those children, balance disturbance may develop and be followed by gradual loss of locomotion.
Does phenobarbital affect memory?
Cognitive deficits in adults: Long-term use of phenobarbital is associated with a number of cognitive deficits in adults that can include similar issues with learning and memory, attention and concentration, complex attention, expressive and receptive speech, and problem-solving.
What happens when you stop taking phenobarbital?
No one should stop taking phenobarbital or change the amount they take without talking to the doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause seizures that may be life-threatening. The risk of withdrawal symptoms with phenobarbital makes it especially important to be careful in stopping this medicine.
Can a dog still have seizures on phenobarbital?
While the majority of dogs respond very well to Phenobarbital and/or potassium bromide, there are a few dogs that will continue to have a high seizure frequency despite having adequate serum levels of these medications, and are called “refractory”.
Can phenobarbital cause death in dogs?
Yes, dogs can overdose on Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital toxicosis manifests with ataxia, heavy sedation, recumbency (inability to stand), hypothermia (decreased body temperature), coma, and even death. If case of accidental ingestion, call the vet or Animal Poison Control Helpline immediately.
What are the long term side effects of phenobarbital in dogs?
Phenobarbital can cause liver damage (such as scarring in the liver) after prolonged use (over three months)....Side effects to watch out for include:Agitation.Anemia.Anxiety.Increased thirst or appetite.Increased urination.Lethargy.Liver damage (long-term use)Loss of coordination.More items...•
What is Luminal used for?
After decades, it became apparent that these drugs had significant risks of addiction and overdose. Luminal is one barbiturate that is still prescribed in certain situations. It’s primarily used for treating seizures by affecting the inhibitory GABA neurotransmitter in the brain. As a result, Luminal calms electrical activity that causes seizures. Despite the medical benefits the drug may have, Luminal can be addictive.
Is Luminal rehab good?
While outpatient Luminal rehab can be helpful for some people, it may be better utilized after a residential rehab as part of an aftercare plan.
What Is Luminal?
Luminal was first synthesized in 1904, and it was first marketed in 1912 as a sedative and hypnotic. It wasn’t used as an anticonvulsant until later. The drug’s potential for fatal overdoses was discovered in the early 20th century. In fact, it was most notoriously used to euthanize disabled people in the early Nazi Germany.
What Are The Signs Of Luminal Addiction?
Luminal addiction is a serious disease, but there are warning signs. Even if you’re using a drug as prescribed, you may start developing a tolerance as your body starts getting used to it. In fact, you may feel like your standard dose is getting weaker, and you may develop a chemical dependence if you keep compensating for tolerance.
How Is Luminal Addiction Treated?
If you have an addiction to Luminal, it’s important to seek help before quitting “cold turkey.” Speak to your doctor about gradually cutting back, in order to avoid serious medical complications that can come from withdrawal. If you’re seeking treatment for a Luminal addiction, you’ll most likely start with medical detox.
How Dangerous Is Luminal Abuse?
As a barbiturate, Luminal has a few inherent dangers. It frequently causes dizziness, ataxia, and sedation, but abuse can lead to a more severe impact. Barbiturates are known for their risk of overdose, which can lead to unconsciousness, hypothermia, hypotension, and respiratory suppression.
Luminal Abuse Statistics
According to the 2012 National Poison Data System Database, sedative-hypnotic drugs like Luminal are the #5 leading cause of reported fatalities.
What is Luminal?
Luminal, also called phenobarbital, is a psychoactive substance in the barbiturate class of drugs that are used to treat epilepsy and other disorders that cause seizures. It was once widely used for its hypnotic and sedative effects, but it has since become a rare prescription after barbiturates were outmoded by benzodiazepines.
Signs and Symptoms of Luminal Addiction
Luminal addiction is a chronic disease, but addiction usually follows a few warning signs. Learning to recognize these signs can help you avoid addiction or seek help early enough to avoid some of the most serious consequences.
How is Luminal Addiction Treated?
Luminal is an addictive drug, but even though addiction is a chronic disease, it can be treated with the right help and therapy options. Luminal is a barbiturate, which can have dangerous effects during withdrawal.
Luminal Abuse Statistics
If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder involving Luminal addiction, there is help available to lead you to long-lasting recovery. Speak to an addiction treatment specialist at The Palm Beach Institute to learn more about addiction and how it can be treated.
Uses
This medication is used alone or with other medications to control seizures. Controlling and reducing seizures lets you do more of your normal daily activities, reduces your risk of harm when you lose consciousness, and lessens your risk for a possibly life-threatening condition of frequent, repeated seizures.
Side Effects
Dizziness, drowsiness, excitation, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Precautions
Before taking phenobarbital, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other barbiturates (such as primidone, secobarbital); or to other anti- seizure medications (such as carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin); or if you have any other allergies.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
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What is Phenobarbital (Luminal)?
Phenobarbital is a barbiturate that is used as a sedative-hypnotic. It is frequently prescribed by doctors to treat seizures and to provide relief from drug withdrawal symptoms. It’s sold under the brand name Luminal.
Is Phenobarbital Addictive?
Yes, phenobarbital is addictive, especially when it is misused. In America, it is a Schedule IV drug, which means it has the potential to be misused and may cause physical dependence, tolerance, and addiction.
What are Some Slang Terms for Phenobarbital?
Some common street names and slang terms for barbiturates like phenobarbital include:
How Common Is Phenobarbital Addiction and Abuse?
The 2018 National Survey On Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that an estimated 6.4 million Americans (2.4 percent of the population) misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives, including phenobarbital, in the past year.1
What Are the Side Effects of Phenobarbital (Luminal) Abuse?
Phenobarbital is a powerful drug that can cause serious side effects, even if it is taken as prescribed by a doctor. People who misuse this potent drug are more likely to experience negative side effects that last longer, are more severe and become chronic problems.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Phenobarbital Abuse and Addiction?
Phenobarbital addiction is common among those who abuse it. Signs of Luminal addiction include:
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Phenobarbital (Luminal)?
If someone is addicted to phenobarbital, he or she will experience uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms when they cut back or abruptly stop using it. Common phenobarbital withdrawal symptoms include:
Luminal A Breast Cancer Causes
The exact cause of luminal A breast cancer—and cancer in general—is not fully understood. But, researchers have identified multiple risk factors that can increase a person’s likelihood of developing breast cancer, including luminal A breast cancers. These involve:
Luminal A Breast Cancer Symptoms
Most breast cancers present as a hard or rubbery breast lump. This lump may feel like it is immovable and fixed into the breast tissue. Other common breast cancer symptoms include:
Luminal A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Diagnosing luminal A breast cancer is similar to diagnosing other molecular subtypes. If signs of cancer are identified, an imaging test such as an ultrasound or mammogram can be used to view images of breast tissue.
Luminal A Breast Cancer Treatments
Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute is helping patients with luminal A breast cancer achieve positive outcomes. Breast cancer treatment plans will vary according to multiple factors, such as the patient’s age, overall health and treatment preferences, as well as the stage of his or her cancer.
Risk Factors For Fatal Phenobarbital Overdose
Phenobarbital overdose can be more common in people who possess certain risk factors.
Recognizing Signs Of A Phenobarbital (Luminal) Overdose
Phenobarbital overdose can be life-threatening without prompt medical treatment. If someone you know is experiencing signs of overdose, seek medical attention right away.
Treatment For Phenobarbital Abuse
Taking high doses of Luminal is a sign of drug abuse and addiction. Although it has medical use, Luminal can be addictive and habit-forming.
